CBI Court awards life term to main accused Hopeson Ningshen
Triple murder case of Dr Th Kishan, Token and Rajen
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglung Hanghal/PTI

New Delhi, June 30 2014: Senior leader of the NSCN (IM) Hopeson Ningshen who was involved in the abduction and subsequent cold blooded murder of Dr Th Kishan the then SDO of Kasom Khullen in Ukhrul district and his two subordinates, Token and Rajen in 2009 was today awarded life term by a Delhi Court.

Special CBI Judge VK Gupta handed down the jail term to Hopeson Ningshen holding him guilty of abducting Dr Thingnam Kishan Singh and two others and killing them after conspiring with other National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) militants under IPC 120 (B) 364 (A), 302 and 392 and a fine of Rs 10,000 (to be paid within six months) .

Ningshen, who was also held guilty of looting the deceaseds' belongings, was also asked to pay a fine of Rs 35,000 .

Ningshen, who was found guilty on May 30 this year, was a "Lt Col" of NSCN-IM faction's Kiusumong battalion, CBI had told the Court.

JAC members addressing the media and the mass rally then taken out in 2009

The case was transferred to Delhi from Manipur on the Supreme Court's direction in May 2010 after CBI expressed apprehension of a threat to Ningshen's life and chances of unrest in the State if he was presented in a Manipur Court.

Placing his argument on circumstantial evidences and seeking the capital punishment, Public Prosecutor , AK Singh stated that the victim Dr Kishan and his two subordinates were abducted and murdered.

The dastardly murder had generated a fear psychosis not only to the family but also in the whole of Manipur, he argued.

The prosecutor maintained that Dr Kishan, who was held captive in the custody of the abductors ( Hopeson and associates) was un-armed and helpless.

AK Singh also argued that Dr Kishan and his two staff were murdered while carrying out their public duty and that the act was pre-planned.

The three were public servants, he reminded the Court.

According to CBI, on February 13, 2009, Nigshen and other NSCN-IM militants had abducted Kishan Singh, SDO-cum-BDO of Kasom Khullen in Manipur's Ukhrul district, and five members of his personal staff.

The agency had said that on the next day the militants allegedly let off three of the abducted people Ram Siro, Ramthing Singlai and Kapangkhui Jajo who belonged to the Naga community while killing Kishan Singh, Y Token Singh and A Rajen Sharma.

The bodies were recovered from the banks of Taphao Kuki river in Senapati district, CBI had said.

The killings had resulted in ethnic tension between the Meities and Nagas and led to a series of bandhs in Manipur.

In view of the sensitivity of the killing, the State Government transferred the case to CBI which subsequently arrested Ningshen on May 29, 2009 .

In defense against the call for the death penalty, Advocate ND Pancholi, Defense counsel for Hopeson Ningshen, argued that death penalty is an archaic law, which is now abolished in many parts of the world.

Yet India is yet to abolish this law.

The UNO had passed a resolution against death penalty and had asked all member States to follow.

The defense counsel told The Sangai Express that they will challenge the order in the High Court.

He argued that there is no proof or evidence, and the penalty is imposed only on the basis of the confession of Hopeson, which was extracted under pressure.

He surrendered on moral ground as he was in charge of that area where the murder / incident took place, he argued.

The Court will issue a notice to the Investigating Officer to send a report on the status of other two accused Abosibo and Jonney, who are still absconding.