Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 05:
One Major is among five personnel of the Assam Rifles, who have been accused in the Thangjam Manorama killing case by the Army Court of Inquiry.
This was revealed by a Sub-Inspector of Irilbung police station, Th Chaoba while testifying before the Thangjam Manorama Death Inquiry Commission today.
Chaoba stated that he attended the Army Court of Inquiry at Kangla on July 24 and gave his statement before the same.
The Chairman of the Army inquiry told him that five personnel including a Major, who deposed before the Court of Inquiry panel, were accused in the case, Chaoba reiterated.
Basically, Chaoba was summoned by the Manorama death commission panel to ascertain the alleged intimation by the Assam Rifles for arranging lady cops to arrest Manorama in the early hours of July 11.Chaoba also insisted that at around 3.30 am of July 11, while he was on duty, one undesignated person in mufti came to Imphal police station and told him to send some women constables at Chinga Hill as an arrested woman was detained there.
The man - a Meitei - also informed him that they were going to refer the arrested woman to the police station; continued Chaoba adding the unknown man identified himself as an Army operator.
Chaoba declined the proposal on the ground that requisitioning women police is the prerogative of the SP concerned.
In the morning of the same day, he reported the matter to the Imphal police station OC and he also had no knowledge about the incident of Manorama Devi, Chaoba testified before the Ch Upendra panel.
The Sub-Inspector also contended that he never received any wireless message from the Assam Rifles authorities regarding request for requisition of women police or arrest of any suspects by the paramilitary force.
Chaoba also refuted that pressure was being exerted upon him on any matter pertaining to the case.
When the AR counsel cross-examined Chaoba, the police officer stated that he did not advise the unknown man to go to the control room and contact the SP but he (Chaoba) only asked the man to obtain the approval letter from the SP pertaining to requisition of lady police.
The Commission also examined the younger brother of Manorama Devi today.