Sit-in demands release of arrested 'innocent' trio
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, November 28 2021:
As part of the continuous democratic protest demanding unconditional release of the three people arrested in connection with the B Gamnom killing case, a sit-in-protest staged at Motbung model village during which one Kakai Singsit made a sensational disclosure and alleged that the police framed the three arrestees.
Hundreds of people mostly women from across Motbung and its adjoining areas including the trio's families and relatives participated in the democratic sit-in protest.
Kakai Singsit, a relative of the trio, contended at the protest venue that Mangsat Haokip, who has been in Sa-jiwa jail since August 11 in connection with a drug case, was also framed along with the trio to put them behind the bar.
He said that the police had claimed that the trio under the command of Mangsat Haokip of N Boljang village in Kangpokpi district, alleged vice chairman of KNF-N, were involved in the indiscriminate firing at B Gamnom village on October 12 morning killing three civilians which landed the innocent trio behind the bar, but the fact is that the trio has no connection whatsoever with Mangsat Haokip and they are even not aware of who Mangsat Haokip is.
The fact is that Mangsat Haokip, whom the police named as the mastermind of the B Gamnom killing, is a resident of K Munnom in Motbung area after shifting from his previous village N Boljang.
He was arrested on August 7 along with two others by a team of Imphal West Narcotics Cell led by SI M Sunzu Luwang with 25.279 kg of opium and was behind the bar since August 11.Mangsat Haokip, whom the police said to have ordered the trio to carry out the B Gamnom killing on October 12, is the same Mangsat Haokip arrested in connection with a drugs case, which is proven as the details provided by the police who framed him to be the commander of the trio is the same with the details available in the arrest memo of him in connection with the drugs case and the details available in his and his wife Aadhaar cards as well.
So, according to the police, Mangsat Haokip, who was arrested in connection with a drug case and lodged in Sawija Jail since August 11, is the kingpin of the B Gamnom killing and the innocent trio is working under him, who gave them weapons to open indiscriminate firing at B Gamnom village on October 12.Now, the question we would like to ask the government and the police authority is that how can a person staying inside a tight security jail, who is never allowed to venture out of the jail, provide weapons to someone outside the jail to commit a crime, Kakai added.
He also said that Mangsat Haokip has no connection with B Gamnom killing, rather he has been framed as well as the trio.
According to the affidavit of Mangsat Haokip's wife Kimneilam Haokip before the Oath Commissioner (Judicial) Manipur, Imphal, Mangsat Haokip, son of late Thanglet Haokip of N Boljang village Kangpokpi district, who as alleged by the police on October 25 during a press conference as the self-styled vice-chairman KNF-N, is her husband but he has no connection with the KNF-N nor has a connection with the said incident of B Gamnom killing on October 12.She also affirmed that they had shifted from N Boljang village to K Munnom village, Motbung in December 2020 while stating that her husband Mangsat Haokip has been in judicial custody since August 11, 2021 in connection with FIR No.105(8)2021 LPS, u/s 18(b)/29/60(3) ND&PS Act.
Meanwhile, Kakai Sing-sit said that they went to B Gamnom village and met with members of the deceased families of the October 12 killing and showed them the names and photos of the trio and enquired whether the three are known to them or involved in the firing incident as they know the culprits and the lists were also given to the police by them.
He continued that the deceased persons' families categorically denied and vindicated the trio.
He also reiterated that Hentinseh Singsit is also proven with evidence that he had been in New Life, a drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centre, till October 14 and left on October 15 at 11:30 am.
He then said that considering all the facts and evidences proving the innocence of the trio, the government and the police authorities must release the innocent trio unconditionally without delay "while that the paradox is that we live in a state where innocent people are being arrested and incarcerated and thrown into prison for a thing they have not done".
The protesting women folks also shouted, "We Want Justice" and demanded unconditional release of the trio.