Extra-judicial killings: Top cops quizzed by enquiry panel
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 10 2013 : The three-member Enquiry Commission headed by retired Supreme Court Justice N Santosh Hegde, which was formed under a directive of Supreme Court of India to conduct an independent probe into 6 different cases of extra-judicial killings in the state, have called in top Police officials of the State Government in turn at Bangalore and Delhi for quizzing.

According to a highly placed source, Retired DGP of Karnataka Police Ajay Kumar Singh, who is a member of the Enquiry Commission, called in L Kailun, IG (LO1) and Clay Khongsai, DIG (Range 1) at Bangalore last month and had a meeting with them.

Later, DIG Clay Khongsai and SP of Imphal East Kamei Angam Ramanus were called to Delhi by the Commission.

The source further revealed that top Police officials of State are being called in to prepare necessary documents, materials and records regarding the probe into the 6 cases of extra-judicial killing.

It is reported that during the course of the meeting, the Enquiry panel minutely enquired about how Manipur Police Commandos has been instituted in the State.

"They enquired about how Manipur Police Commandos came into force and also asked to furnish the documents regarding the resolution adopted jointly by the Manipur State Government and the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the establishment of Manipur Police Commandos to the Enquiry Commission", the source disclosed.

The Police officials were unable to provide any solid answers to the questions of whether the State Government had ever taken any resolution in connection with setting up of Manipur Police Commandos.

Nonetheless, relevant documents regarding the establishment of Manipur Police Commandos are being collected now, it added.

Meanwhile, another source revealed that no definite decision of the State Government had been ever taken when Manipur Police Commandos was established in the State.

The Manipur Police Commandos was set up in the State, exactly in the same manner as the recently abolished Special Intelligence Unit (SIU) had been formed.

It was initially set up as a Civil Police Commando by the then top Police Officers of the State to counter insurgency problems in the State.

On the other hand, the three-member Enquiry Commission headed by Retired Supreme Court Justice N Santosh Hegde would be coming to Imphal on March 1.The other two members of the Commission are former Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh and Retired DGP of Karnataka Police Ajay Kumar Singh.

Confirming the visit of the probe panel members to Imphal on March 1, a reliable source, however, said that the term of reference or what they would be doing during their enquiry is not yet known.

Mention may be made here that the Enquiry Commission was constituted under a directive of the Supreme Court of India on January 4 following a petition filed by Extrajudicial Execution Victims' Families' Association (EEVFAM), pleading for an independent probe into more than 1500 cases of extra-judicial killings that have taken place in Manipur.

The apex court also instructed Centre and Manipur government to provide necessary manpower and secretarial assistance to the Enquiry Commission.

Furthermore, the apex court instructed the Government of Manipur and all related agencies to handover any evidence, records and materials to the Commission.

Out of the many cases, the Supreme Court gave its approval for enquiry into six cases.

The six cases are that of Kh Orsonjit (19) of Sega Road Konjeng Hazari Leikai who was killed by Manipur Police Commandos in 2010; Y Kumarjit (18) of Irom Meijrao who was killed in 2009; Ch Umakanta (24) of Iroishemba Mamang Leikai who was killed in May 2009; E Kiranjit (22) of Thoubal Haokha who was killed in April 2009; N Govind alias Dhopa (25) of Bashikhong Mamang Leikai who was killed in April 2009 and Md Azad Khan (14) of Phoubakchao Makha Leikai who was killed in March 2009 .

14-year old Md Azad Khan, son of Md Wahid Ali was arrested by Manipur Police Commandos in the morning of March 4, 2009 while he was reading newspaper along with a friend named Anand.

Family members tried to stop the CDOs from taking their son away but in vain.

Later, he was found shot dead in a nearby field by the police commandos.

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