Imphal, June 07 2010: Former Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul district, Pankaj Kumar Pal, who had been placed under suspension in the case related to the abduction and subsequent brutal murder of then Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Thingnam Kishan and his two subordinate staff, namely Revenue Mandal Y Token and driver A Rajen Sharma by armed cadres of NSCN (IM) last year, have been sent on deputation to Bihar for three years.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a highly placed source said that the deputation of Pankaj Kumar Pal, IAS, to Bihar, who has been placed under suspension by the State Government, has been approved following a notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India on June 2 .

The notification issued by RK Gupta, Under Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training said that 'in exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 6(1) of the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954 and with the concurrence of the Governments of Manipur-Tripura and Bihar, the Central Government hereby accords approval for inter-cadre deputation of Shri Pankaj Kumar, IAS (MT:02) from Manipur-Tripura cadre to Bihar cadre for a period of three years from date of assumption of charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier'.

Before giving the approval on the inter-cadre deputation of the IAS officer belonging to Manipur-Tripura cadre, the permission of the Government of Manipur as well as Bihar Government was sought.

Though the Department of Personnel has directed Pankaj Kumar to take over his charge immediately, the State Government is yet to cancel the suspension order of the accused IAS officer, the source added.

It may be recalled here that Dr Kishan was abducted along with five other staff in his own official Gypsy (MN04-5799) by armed cadres of NSCN (IM) from near Naga Gate, Ukhrul on February 13 last year.

Among the six abducted, Ramsing Sero (VLW), Ramshing Singlai (VLW) and Kapangkhui Jajo (Peon) were set free on February 14 while Dr Kishan, Rajen and Token were found brutally murdered at Taphou Kuki village in Senapati on February 17 .

The abduction and the subsequent murder had been allegedly masterminded by Lt Col Hopeson Ningshen of the Kiusumong Bn of NSCN (IM), who has been subsequently arrested by the police and lodged in jail.

However, the DGP wrote to the CBI, which subsequently took up the investigation of the case, expressing apprehension on the possible threat to the life of Ningshen from jail inmates if he were to be kept at Sajiwa jail here.

Accordingly, the CBI transferred Ningshen to Tihar Jail.

On the basis of the chargesheet submitted by the CBI to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the statement of accused Pankaj Kumar Pal had been recorded as a witness.

Father of Dr Kishan had also petitioned the CJM to register a police case to investigate against Pankaj Kumar Pal for his alleged involvement.

After the CBI petitioned the Supreme Court for shifting the hearing of the case in a court at New Delhi, the State Government has also given its approval.

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