'Sanajaoba's kins yet to claim ex-gratia'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 22:
Chief Minister O Ibobi today informed the Assembly that though the reports of the Judicial Inquiries instituted to probe the circumstances leading to the suicide of school girl N Sanjita at Jiribam last year and the alleged custodial killing of Th Manorama are ready, the same cannot be produced on the floor of the House as the Army authorities have moved Court.
Replying to a short notice question raised by Keishamthong AC MLA L Ibomcha, the Chief Minister said that the probe reports of Sanjita and Manorama were submitted to the Govt on February 16 and Nov 22 respectively.
The Chief Minister agreed with the observation of L Ibomcha that under the provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Act, the report should be discussed in the Assembly within six months of its submission, but added that the reports cannot be discussed at this stage as the Army authorities have already moved Court and the cases are pending with the Court.
The Cabinet is also yet to discuss the reports following the petition filed by the Army authorities, added the Chief Minister.
However the Government is not sleeping over the matter, assured the Chief Minister and explained that efforts are on for the Court to vacate the cases, so it may be discussed thoroughly.
A Cabinet agenda has already been put in place to discuss the reports once the legal tangles are worked out, said the Chief Minister.
To another question raised by Sagolband AC MLA S Natum, the Chief Minister informed the House that the family members of RK Sanajaoba, who was shot dead by a policeman on October 20 have not claimed any ex-gratia so far.
The matter is under investigation, said the Chief Minister and added that if the OC-in-charge of Patsoi police, who was present inside the vehicle when the incident took place, is found guilty of any short comings then due action will be initiated.
The OC-in-charge was a young MPS officer on probation, Joyce Lalringa.
The driver who fired the fatal shots has been suspended from service and is currently in jail.
Sanajaoba was shot dead after a scuffle broke out following a heated argument on the right of way during rush hour.
The Chief Minister, responding to a query from N Biren, said that the next of kins may forward their ex-gratia claim to the district administration within 90 days of the incident.
Thereafter the DC concerned should seek a report from the police and based on the report, the Government will decide whether the case merits ex-gratia payment or not, informed the Chief-Minister.
When the Chief Minister was informed that the police did not extend its cooperation when the DC of Bishnupur sought a report in connection with the death of a civilian, Bhattarai in a bomb explosion triggered by suspected militants, the CM asked for finer details and assured that he will look into the matter.
The Chief Minister also explained that there is no provision to pay ex-gratia in the event of anyone being killed by unidentified elements.
To a question raised by Moirang AC MLA S Gopal, the CM said that a sub treasury office of Moirang is opened at Imphal as the RBI has not given its permission to open the same at Moirang.
Now the construction work of the office of the sub-treasury has been completed, the RBI will be urged to allow the opening of the office at Moirang, he added.
To another question, the CM said that the security force deployed at the Moirang UBI branch have been retrieved as they are being engaged in CI ops.