Court frames charges against 5 cops
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 30 2020:
Charges have been framed against Inspector Pebam John and four other State police personnel as well as an IO, for necessary trial by Session Judge, Imphal West today in connection with the alleged fake encounter/extrajudicial killing of one RK Laksana alias Victo on February 15, 1999 at Mayang Langjing area.
The charge order had been kept reserved since November 30 last year, following the hearing of the charges levelled in the CBI charge sheet against the five police personnel, namely Inspector P John (then SI of Imphal West commando), then constable Longjam Lokhon, then constable Thangkhomang Kipgen, then constable K Bijoy Tarao and then constable Fazur Rahman and the IO S Surjaboro.
As all the personnel pleaded not guilty and sought a trial, the Court fixed February 17 for hearing the first prosecution witness.
It may be mentioned that on November 26, 2018, Sh Pravendra Kumar, PI, AC- III, CBI, New Delhi, had submitted the charge sheet concerning the case before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West, under different sections for taking cognizance against the accused cops.
The charge sheet mentioned that investigation revealed that Lamsang police registered a case on the basis of a complaint lodged by then SI, P John, of Imphal West commando alleging that on February 15, 1999, acting on a tip off regarding a secret meeting at the residence of a PLA member at Chingamakha Oinam Leikai, he, along with then OC (L) Inspector Lokhon rushed to the spot and cordoned the whole area upto Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai.
At that time, a suspicious youth (around 30 years of age), was stopped for verification and he was identified as RK Laksana alias Victo s/o Manisana of Haobam Marak Ngangom Leikai, who claimed himself to be an active member of PLA as per the police FIR.
The FIR further alleged that RK Laksana disclosed that four cadres, equipped with sophisticated weapons, were camping at Loitang Khunou area and such, the security team rushed to the area taking him along, after informing inspector OC (L) Lokhon.
The FIR continued that about 150 yards before reaching the northern end of Mayang Langjing, the commando team spotted four youths armed with sophisticated weapons who suddenly opened fired towards them.
An encounter took place for about 5 to 6 minutes and the unknown miscreants managed to escape from the site.
However RK Laksana was found with bullet injuries about a feet away from the commando vehicle and he succumbed to his injuries a few minutes later.
The CBI/SIT alleged that the victim RK Laksana was very well in the custody of Manipur police commando at the time of his death/killing, and contended that the commando team had taken him to Loitang Khunou instead of keeping him in a police lockup, thus leading to his death.
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