Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 07:
The ongoing Thangjam Manorama death Inquiry Commission has today rejected the Assam Rifles plea to appoint a commissioner by the panel and examine AR witnesses at Kangla Fort.
Headed by retired district and sessions judge C Upendra, the commission would testify the Commandant 17 AR at 12 noon on August 9 even as the counsel on behalf of AR pleaded to conduct examination of AR witnesses in a camera meeting.
The Commission would be examining the CO openly, however, it would decide later whether the remaining AR witnesses would be examined in a camera meeting or not, said a source in the panel.
The application submitted by the AR authorities said "due to the present cogent physical threat and danger posed to the military personnel, affidavits as examination-in-chief may be filed before the appointed commissioner with further examination by him at Kangla.
The source also informed that the three personnel who put signature on the arrest memo and CO 17 AR who were supposed to appear before the panel today at 8 am failed to turn up.
However, a counsel on behalf of AR turned up 10 am and submitted the application.
The four had already been summoned by the panel earlier.
The application quoting source from "hard military intelligence" said that threats have been issued by underground outfit to the AR witnesses, officer concerned and their families as well.
This being the case, it said that additional security precautions have to be taken to protect the personnel and their families staying in Manipur.
In such circumstances, they cannot be moved from their protected military base, it said adding that this principle has also been recognized by the provision of the CrPC when it relates to trial.
It also prayed before the Inquiry commission to allow the examination of the military personnel and the cross examination be carried out only in a camera meeting by appointing a commissioner.
In such circumstances, it has become the bounden duty of the commission to protect the identities of the witnesses and their families in the manner best prescribed by the law, the application said.