Associations back driver in death case
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 29 2019:
Imphal Moreh Van Eco Drivers and Owners Association and Imphal to Moreh Van Eco Drivers Union have claimed that Eco Van driver A Deban s/o Kumar of Khurai Chingangbam Leikai, has nothing to do with the death of one Amom Uttamjit Singh and that he is completely innocent.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Imphal to Moreh Van Eco Drivers Union president Keithellakpam Nabakishore said that on August 18, the deceased, Amom Uttamjit Singh s/o (L) A Tiken Singh, demanded the eco van driven by Deban to stop during a Imphal to Moreh trip, near Kongkhang area.
There he jumped down a gorge and could not be found even after many attempts.
He was then found dead some days later on August 23, Nabakishore explained, lamenting that however, the JAC formed in connection with the death, began demanding Deban and a friend of the deceased individual, identified as Jyotin, to be arrested for finding the truth behind the death.
Stating that the passengers who were aboard the vehicle on the day of the incident are witnesses to the innocence of the driver, he said that on that day, Uttamjit demanded the vehicle to stop repeatedly saying that he wanted to urinate.
When they neared Kongkhang area, Deban stopped the vehicle and Uttamjit jumped down the gorge and disappeared.
Deban and the other shocked passengers searched for the individual for a long time but to no avail and having no option, they headed towards Imphal.
On the way, they met a commando team near Tengnoupal and they informed the commando team about the whole incident after which the vehicle headed back to Imphal.
Claiming that the driver, Deban, himself also personally participated in the search operation with the family members and locals of the deceased, Nabakishore explained that on the day of the incident, three Manipur Rifles personnel posted at Moreh SBI Bank, a man from Uripok and Uttamjit were aboard the vehicle as passengers and added that the other passengers are witnesses to the innocence of the driver.
He further added that Uttamjit was brought to the vehicle by his friend Jyotin.