Alleged fake encounter/extra judicial killings : Court frames charges against 10 policemen
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 16 2019: Session Judge, Imphal West, today, framed charges against 10 cops in connection with alleged fake encounter/extra judicial killing of 6 individuals in two separate events at Awang Khunou by a combined team of Imphal West commando and 12 Maratha Light Infantry on intervening night of September 7 and September 8, 2009 .

The charge order was kept reserved after hearing the charges levelled by CBI/ SIT against the accused cops on August 20 .

Alleged fake encounter/extra judicial killings : Court frames charges against 10 policemen

The charge sheet was submitted by Sh DS Chauhan, DSP, CBI, New Delhi, before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West on January 11, against then Subedar Irengbam Khaba alias I Khaba s/o (L) Tompok of Singjamei Chingamakha, then Head Constable (driver) Imphal West commando H Premjit s/o Ibotomba of Yairipok Khoirom, Constable Yengkhom Ibomcha s/o Y Sitol of Leishangthem Awang Leikai, Constable Pebam Sanayaima s/o Kalamukta of Thoubal Haokha, Constable Soibam Premjit s/o Heramani of Singjamei Thongam Leikai, Constable Oinam Inaoton s/o (L) Chandramani of Pishumthong Oinam Leikai, Havildar Laishram Premkumar s/o Lukhoi of Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai, Constable Laishram Naba s/o Samunyou of Kakching Thongju Makha Leikai, Constable P Ibomcha s/o Netra of Thoubal Sabaltongba Awang Leikai and Constable Mayanglam-bam Chitrajit Meitei s/o Brajamohan of Malom Tuliyaima Awang Leikai, in connection with the death of 6 individuals in two separate alleged encounters with a combined team of Imphal West commando and 12 Maratha Light Infantry.

The charge sheet mentioned that one of the deceased, Ksh Govind, was engaged in the business of selling mobile recharge coupons.

Another deceased, Ngasepam Danny, used to help his uncle in a pan shop while another Md Tomba was a ricksaw puller.

It explained that one of the deceased, AK Oken, was a taxi driver as well another Md Mujibur Rehman while Md Ajgar Ali was a businessman from Assam.

Govind and Danny were on a motorcycle and they had no connection/ association with the other 4 deceased who were travelling in a Tata Sumo just before their death on September 8, 2009.The charge sheet further mentioned that in the alleged fake encounters, the commando personnel had fired 119 bullet rounds while the personnel of 12 Maratha Light Infantry had fired 98 bullet rounds.

However only 12 empty bullet casings were recovered from the incident sites and even out of the 12 empty casings, only 3 could be matched with the weapons recovered from the possession of the deceased individuals.

The circumstances showed that the security personnel had used excessive force in the operation and under the command of then Subedar I Khaba, the charge sheet alleged.

The charge sheet further explained that I Khaba disturbed the scene of crime before Kh Devkumar, then SI of Patsoi PS and the 1st IO of local police, reached the incident site.

He had also lifted the weapons from the place, thereby spoiling the chances of confirming as to whether the deceased had actually handled the weapons or not.

After finding sufficient materials, the Court framed charges against the 10 individuals.

However, they pleaded not guilty and prayed for a trial.

As such, the Court fixed October 21 for the hearing of the first prosecution witness of the case.