Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 09 2009:
Apart from the two personnel of Imphal East police commando who have been pulled up for abducting Khwairakpam Megha of Naorem Leikai, Liwa Road, police have arrested two local persons for their role in the abduction even as it has come to light that the two accused commandos allegedly handed over Megha to the Assam Rifles to be killed stating that he is a PLA cadre.
Disclosing these information during a press conference at the office of MPP here this afternoon, MLA of Langthabal A/C O Joy informed that the interrogation of the two accused police commandos have led the police to arrest two locals namely L Sanathoi and S Shantikumar who were also involved in the case.
Soon after handing over Megha to the Imphal Police Station by the 31 Assam Rifles yesterday claiming him to be a PLA cadre arrested from Moreh, MLA Joy reportedly went to the police station and met Megha.
Family members of Megha were also allowed to meet him.
Reiterating that Megha is an innocent ironsmith, Joy while recalling about his meeting with Megha, stated that before being abducted in the bullet proof Rakshak from Khagempalli Road while Megha was coming along with Koijam Sanjoy of Chingamakha, Doukhochong Touthang, a Rifleman of Ist MR attached to Imphal East Commando, told Megha that the OC wanted to meet him.
When Megha questioned why the OC should want to meet him as he is an innocent person, two of them fought for some time.
As Megha is infirm from a broken leg for which an iron rod had been embedded, Doukhomang overpowered and forced him inside the Rakshak at gunpoint.
Inside the vehicle, Megha found one individual whose face was masked like a Zoro.
But he came to know that the masked individual was none other than Sanathoi of his locality.
After being blind-folded, Megha had also been taken to a place where he was kept bound, Joy said.
Although the Honda Activa in which Megha had gone along with Sanjoy had been recovered, a sum of Rs 7,000 which Megha had taken along with him is still missing, MLA Joy said, while informing that during the interrogation, Doukhomang had told the police that Megha may have been killed.
Asking how could the Assam Rifles claimed that Megha had been arrested from Moreh when the Police commandos involved in the abduction of Megha are in the police custody, Joy wondered how could the Assam Rifles be a part of an act conducted by two police commandos without the knowing of the higher up officers.
The MLA also wanted to know why action should not be taken against the Major of the Assam Rifles who handed over Megha to the Imphal Police Station despite claiming that Megha is a PLA cadre arrested from Moreh.
The Government should find out whether there have been similar cases like that of Megha in the past as well as the possible involvements of more persons in the present case besides the four accused arrested so far, Joy suggested, adding that the Government should also seek the approval of the Centre for prosecuting the Major of the Assam Rifles.
Such cases could give a serious impact on the existing law and order situation.
So all the guilty persons should be booked and detained under NSA, Joy further demanded.
Maintaining the public are not fool but are fully aware of the games being played by security forces, MLA Joy asserted that since the present case has put the reputation of both the State Police force and the Assam Rifles at stake, the matter should not be taken lightly.
He also appreciated the role of the police, media and other organisations in revealing out the truth behind the case of Megha's abduction.