Herojit points finger again at Jhalajit in statement
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 17 2016:
Head Constable Thounaojam Herojit has submitted his confessional statement in the form of an affidavit regarding the July 23 Khwairamband bazar incident to the Oath Commissioner of Imphal West Sessions Court, K Manorama Devi today.
Speaking to reporters, Herojit said that as he had already confessed that he killed unarmed Sanjit to follow the order of the then Imphal West Additional SP Dr AK Jhalajit, he would never retract his statement.
Herojit said that he earlier thought that nobody would support him.
However, many people have come to his support after he revealed the 'truth' due to which he is now able to be a part of society again.
He said that he has lots of respect for the people now.
The suspended cop said that he had made the confession without any pressure or influence from any quarter.
Although, he had some hesitations earlier, he at last made up his mind to reveal the 'truth' for the future generation, Herojit said.
He said that he could not appear before the Court in the last hearing as he could not complete necessary paper works on time.
Herojit said that he would definitely attend the hearing scheduled for February 20 .
In his affidavit submitted to the Oath Commissioner, Herojit said that he joined the State Police Department in 2001 as a Constable and got posting in Imphal West district.
Herojit also mentioned in his affidavit that he had solemnly put his words on oath without any coercion or undue influence and not under the influence of any drug or intoxicating substance of any form and he is making his admission before the Oath Commissioner and independent respectable witnesses with full knowledge and given in the interest of justice and for a secure future of people of the State.
It is also mentioned that he would not retract what he had admitted before the Oath Commissioner as he had already pleaded guilty of the charge levelled against him in Chungkham Sanjit fake encounter case investigated and charge sheeted by CBI accusing him as the prime accused of the case.
The affidavit mentioned that on July 23, 2009 he was on regular duty at Thangal bazar with another police Constable.
When both of them went to Minuthong commando complex for lunch, they came to know from Rifleman Toyaima through wireless that there was an encounter on BT road.
On hearing the news, he immediately rushed to Gambhir Singh Shopping Arcade.
One of the Riflemen informed that an unknown gunman opened fire on them near Sulabh complex and ran towards Gambhir Singh Shopping Arcade.
At that time, the then Imphal West Additional SP Dr AK Jhalajit arrived at the scene.
The confessional statement added the City police station OC Y Munal and Tombisana High School Commando Post OC H Devendro were also present there.
He briefed Dr AK Jhalajit about the incident.
After the Additional SP ordered them to catch the assailants without fail, police conducted a search operation at the shopping arcade.
After some time, some police personnel produced a Mauser Werke pistol which they claimed to have recovered from the entrance of the shopping arcade.
AK Jhalajit and his escort team left the area as they could find the assailants.
Herojit's confessional statement affidavit further mentioned that three persons who were found hiding inside the adjacent building of the shopping arcade were brought by some personnel.
On seeing the trio, Rifleman Toyaima identified one man as the assailant who fired at them and fled.
Toyaima also tried to assault the man who was later identified as Sanjit.
Sanjit was detained for verification while the other two persons were freed.
Sanjit was frisked and no arm was found, the statement said.
Sanjit was later brought inside Maimu Pharmacy on BT road and interrogated.
The affidavit mentioned that Sanjit revealed his identity and that he was from Khurai.
Even as they were interrogating him, his mobile phone kept on ringing repeatedly.
At last, Herojit picked up the call and kept it on speaker mode.
The caller without identifying himself pleaded them to spare Sanjit's life.
The caller also told them that he was ready to give any amount for Sanjit's life.
Herojit disconnected the call telling the caller he is not such a type of policeman.
At that time, Dr AK Jhalajit came again there.
Herojit instructed other personnel not to talk to Sanjit and came out to meet Dr AK Jhalajit.
When he came out from the pharmacy, he found the Additional SP with a large number of police personnel and media persons.
Herojit told Dr AK Jhalajit that the man whom they wanted was in their custody.
He also narrated his superior officer about the phone call he had received from an unknown caller.
On hearing the news, AK Jhalajit told Herojit well done and "Touthokhro", a code word which is usually used to give order to finish off somebody.
Herojit then told AK Jhalajit that the place is not suitable for the 'execution' as there were many media persons.
The affidavit further mention that Jhalajit sighed, "Asssh I have informed the DGP and CM, they have also given permission to finish him off and I will distract the media, you go and get ready and 'touthokhro' .
AK Jhalajit then shouted to the gathering media persons that the man had been found on the other side after which the media persons followed the police officer towards Kangla western gate.
As soon as the media persons went away with AK Jhalajit, he went inside Maimu Pharmacy again and found Sanjit guarded by some police personnel.
Three civilians were also present at the sane place and the owner of the watch repairing shop was also found sitting there.
They remained as stunned spectators and Sanjit was also found standing on the doorway to the store room of the shop.
Sanjit was composed and looked defeated but he (Herojit) held his head high after which he took out his service weapon (9 mm pistol) from the holster and fired 5/6 rounds on the torso of Sanjit from a distance of about 5 feet.
Sanjit's body slumped upon the gunny bags.
After killing Sanjit, he announced on the wireless to the police control that there had been an encounter with him and that the man had sustained fatal casualty and left the pharmacy.
The affidavit also mentioned that he did not wish to plea bargain in the case and he pleaded absolute guilt of the inhuman crime he had committed by just following the order of a superior officer and giving his admission for the end of justice and security of the people upon realization of the irreparable and preventable damages that he have caused to the victim and their family members.