JAC seeks justice in Roger murder case
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, April 08 2011:
The Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed in conection with gruesome daylight homicide of I Roger, has expressed unhappy with the DGP) alleging that he is attempting to suppress the voice of agitation.
"Imphal East police picked up members of the JAC yesterday at the instruction of DGP Y Joykumar," alleged the convener of the JAC, Bobby, in a press conference today at Manipur Press Club here, adding that the members who were picked up were produced before the DGP who preemptively accused them of exerting pressure on the family members of I Roger to intensify the agitation seeking justice in the murder of I Roger.
"The DGP attempted to muzzle the voice of the JAC," he said.
Significantly, 21-year-old Roger was gunned down on March 20 in a place near Tulihal Airport in Imphal by Nongthombam Ajay Meitei, son of Congress minister N Biren who holds a cabinet portfolio in the present Congress led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government in Manipur, along with four of his associates.
Ajay Meitei and his four associates had surrendered to SDPO Singjamei police station on the intervening night of March 20 and 21.He had admitted to having committed the crime with a licensed gun before the police.
The police had even recovered the pistol with 6 live rounds and the Bolero used in the commission of the crime.
Being under tremendous pressure from the police department, the JAC has today sought the support of civil society organizations of all hues in its agitations seeking justice in the murder of I Roger.
Claiming the mortal remains of I Roger for the last rites doesn't amount to having struck a MoU with the government or the accused party for that matter, said Bobby.
"We still stand by our demands, particularly the demand for the resignation of Irrigation and Flood Control minister N Biren on moral ground" .
"Family members are always ready to cooperate with whatever decision the JAC has to take," stated the father of I Roger, I Lokendro, who was also present at the press briefing and added that he will never compromise in the pursuit of justice on the murder of his son by merely accepting money.
The JAC has also been very clear against seeking for the handing over of the case to central investigative body CBI given the fact that the chief minister has himself admitted on the floor of the House about the incident that implicated Ajay Meitei of having committing the high profile murder.
Even as this report is being written, a meeting of the JAC in Manipur Press Club with support from members of civil society organizations is developing.