Probe report opens the lid off Angousana's death
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 06 2014: The judicial inquiry report on the killing of Athokpam Angousana Meitei which was submitted to the High Court of Manipur by the District Judge, Manipur West has concluded that the victim died from critical injuries he received while in the custody of police commandos.

Angousana Meitei (48), a native of Napat Mayai Leikai under Kumbi Police Station in Bishnupur district died at RIMS here on February 28, 2011, a day after he was picked up from home by a team of police commandos led by Havildar Shakthi, then posted at the newly set up police outpost at Laphupat Tera Dhaballokhong in Thoubal district.

Athokpam Ongbi Tampha Devi, wife of late Angousana, then petitioned the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench pleading for punishment of the police commandos involved in the custodial death of her husband, besides demanding the Government to pay Rs 20.63 lakh as compensation.

Killing of Athokpam Angousana Meitei

Responding to the complaint lodged by the petitioner, the High Court ordered the District Judge, Manipur West to conduct a judicial inquiry into the case.

In the judicial inquiry conducted under writ petition (criminal) case No-108/2011, statements of the respondents of the case-- Commissioner/Secretary (Home), DGP of Manipur Police, Superintendant of Police, Bishnupur district, Superintendent of Police, Thoubal district, Officer-in-charge, Kumbi Police Station and Commando Officer-in-charge, Laphupat Tera Dhabalokhong�were recorded.

According to the affidavits submitted by the respondents, Angousana died of ill health, and that he did not die due to alleged tortures by police in the custody.

However, the testimonies given by several persons in the court on behalf of the petitioner said that Angousana was arrested by the police commandos from his house and it was an open and shut case of custodial death.

Now, the judicial inquiry report into the case has confirmed this.

It also said that during his arrest, commandos also robbed Angousana of Rs 1,500 which he kept for school admission for his child, apart from demanding his family to pay Rs 50,000 for his release.

The commandos also threatened his wife that Angousana would be killed or sent to jail if she refused to pay the amount.

The judicial inquiry report was submitted to the High Court of Manipur by District Judge, Imphal West, K Brajakumar on June 28 this year.

As per the report, the husband of the petitioner, namely late Athokpam Angousana Meitei was apprehended about 5 pm of February 27, 2011 by the police commandos posted at the police outpost at Laphupat Tera Dhabalokhong.

No arrest memo was issued at the time of taking away Angousana nor he was handed over to the nearest police station immediately after his arrest or within the least possible delay, the report mentioned.

Angousana was lodged at the police outpost on the intervening night of February 27 and February 28 of 2011 and he was released from the outpost on February 28 about 9 am.

The judicial inquiry report further said the victim was sick and infirm at the relevant time of his arrest but capable of living in his ill health and he died at RIMS at around 11 am of the same day he was released mainly due to critical injuries he sustained while in the custody of the police commandos.