Hearing on alleged extra judicial killings : Day II
Five witnesses depose before commission
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal
New Delhi, March 14 2013:
On the second day of the hearing conducted by the Inquiry Commission instituted by the Supreme Court to probe into six cases of alleged extra-judicial killings, an Army Major, Sreeram Kumar then attached with the Assam Rifles post at Chingmeirong and a Rifleman Vipan Sharma were quizzed by the Advocates of the petitioners in connection with the killing of Nobo Meitei and Gobind Singh on April 4, 2009 .
Three others, Major Anshuman Badoni, Major Kaushalendra Singh and Subedar Gobind Singh deposed before the Commission in connection with the killing of Elangbam Kiranjit Singh on April 23, 2009 .
Deposing before the Commission, Major Sreeram Kumar said that acting upon reliable grade A1 information a joint operation was conducted along with Imphal West police commandos at Langol Games village.
The said area falls between notified and de-notified area.
Major Kumar stated that he cannot explain the multiple injuries inflicted on the body (s) and added that the commando team led the operation since the area falls under a de-notified area.
The Army officer said that he had seized blood stains on ground but not any other materials.
He denied the charge in the affidavit that no encounter took place on that day.
He also denied the suggestion that he knew that prior to the operation the area is a de-notified area.
Witness Rifleman Sharma stated before the Commission that a briefing was held before they moved for the joint operation with the Cdos ( I-W).
He said that he did fire from his Ak 47 and admitted that there was no casualty on their side and added that he does not remember any damages inflicted on their vehicles.
He denied seeing any items at the site as stated in the affidavit.
After post operation, according to Rifleman Sharma, they were told that it was successful, and that they came to know about recovered items and death of the person(s) only later.
In connection with the killing of E Kiranjit Singh, Major Badoni who deposed before the Commission stated that he was informed of UG movement from grade A1 source, around Laikot and Shabungkhok on April 23, 2009.At that time he was posted at Litan.
Major Badoni reached the spot at midnight between April 23 and 24.Since the Yaingangpokpi CO was out of station , the joint operation was conducted with Thoubal Cdos.
He stated before the Commssion that he is aware that the area is not under the jurisdiction of Thobal Cdo (but Lamlai PS) and added that he laid the plan for the ambush between Laikot and Shabungkhok that took place about an hour later.
Recounting the day, Major Badoni claimed that they saw two persons moving and asked them to stop, but instead were fired upon.
Exchange of fire took place and one of them fell down and the other ran towards the hillock .
Major Badoni stated that he found one 9mm pistol with the fallen guy.
But he left for the search and the body was left with the Cdos.
Major Badoni stated that the seizure report was prepared by Jamedar Haokip in which it was stated that the seized items include 9mm, 3 live round 9mm , one chamber and 2 magazine , 3 fired cases of 9mm.Major Badoni denied that there is no recovery from the site as stated in the affidavit.
In the same case, witness Major Kaushalendra Singh reiterated that the shot / firing came from them (the two persons) .
From the recovery of items the Major stated before the Commission that he came to know that
they were "terrorists" .
Stating that information from grade A1 are information on UG activity, he stated that the said information pertained to the activities of
the KYKL.
Major Singh stated that it is not his duty or the duty of the AR to find out 'identity' of deceased adding that it is the duty of the police.
The officer stated that at at his induction in January 2009 he was given training on banned organizations and that added that he has some knowledge about their modus operandi.
Witness Subedar Gobind who deposed before the Commision also stated that certain articles were found with the deceased (Kumarjit).
He denied that the person who died in the encounter had never fired them.
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