Khwairamband firing incident Addl SP deposes before Agarwal panel
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31, 2011:
Deposing before the Agarwal Enquiry Commission which is probing into the much publicised July 23 Khwairamband Killings, Imphal West Additional SP (Ops) Dr AK Jhaljit said that he did not personally see the acts of firing.
Giving his statement before the enquiry commission at Hotel Imphal here today, Dr Jhaljit said that he received information on wireless that some UG cadres had entered into Khwairamband Bazar area.
As the Assembly session was then going on, Dr Jhaljit asked his OCs and ICs of commando units to be on alert.
He said that he was in the police headquarters in the morning of the fateful day.
There he received information that a woman had been killed by a gunman at bazar area.
As he saw the Senior SP moving out in his vehicle, Dr Jhaljit followed in his vehicle with escort.
"As there was heavy traffic, I came through Paona Bazar towards BT Road.
I passed through Sulabh toilet.
A dead body wearing female dress was lying near the Sulabh toilet", Dr Jhaljit said.
In the next moment, he talked to policemen, pressmen and public to find out what was happening.
"While I was talking to them, I heard gun shot and thereafter I came to know that one person has been killed inside a shop", Jhaljit said.
Then, he along with the SSP went to the place where the second dead body was lying but he remained outside and he did not see the dead body as such.
Commando Bazar unit in-charge Hijam Devendra also gave his statement before the commission today.
He also maintained that neither did he see the acts of firing nor did he open fire even though he carried his weapon.
Nevertheless, Devendra mentioned that Rifleman Toyaima and Khaiminthang were present at the site of the incident, close to Sulabh toilet.
On receiving wireless message regarding firing, Devendra and SI Punsiba Kabrambam came out of their office and proceeded to Hao Keithel.
As he saw people running, Devendra stopped his vehicle and enquired as to what was happening.
He was told by someone that one person had fired and run towards Gambhir Singh arcade.
At this, Devendra and Punisba proceeded towards the direction of Gambhir Singh arcade.
There he directed commando mobiles to surround and search the area.
Not long after he heard sounds of firing and soon he was told that a person has been killed inside Maimu Pharmacy, Devendra said.
On entering the pharmacy he saw a person lying dead with a small firearm lying close to it.
However, the room was dark, Devendra said.
The next hearing of the commission has been fixed on February 21 at 10.30 am.