Imphal, December 02 2010: Contrary to the claim that 45-year old Md Fajeruddin of Kwakta Khuman was killed in an encounter with the Assam Rifles at Thoubal Moijing, it has come to light that he was actually done to death in a fake encounter to cover up the brutal torture in custody, which ultimately led to his death.

In the course of staging any fake encounters, the Assam Rifles and the Police Commandos also exchange arms and ammunition.

Assam Rifles had claimed that Md Fajeruddin was killed during an encounter with personnel of 33 Assam Rifles at Kwakta Khuman on the night of January 22 last.

However, the family members asserted that he was an innocent civilian.

In protest over the killing, a JAC had been formed and bandh imposed along Thoubal line.

Media had also reported that Md Fajeruddin, who was originally from Kwakta Saiton but later shifted to Thoubal Moijing, had been picked up by troops of Assam Rifles from his house at around 8 pm of January 21 .

It was the 15th day of his shifting to the new place.

The truth of the matter, however, remained unknown.

However, after an independent investigation, The Sangai Express startling revelations have come to light that on the fateful night, Md Fajeruddin was indeed picked up from his house by personnel of the F-Coy of 33 Assam Rifles posted at Moirang Khunou and the Assam Rifles personnel faked an encounter after Md Fajeruddin lost his life from brutal torture in their custody.

At the time of picking him up from his home, Md Fajeruddin was in civilian dress but his body was found clad in camouflage uniform and the Assam Rifles claimed that one 9 mm pistol, one magazine and one Chinese hand grenade were recovered from his possession.

From the investigation, it has been known that after being picked up, Md Fajeruddin was subjected to questioning and severe torture.

As the condition of Md Fajeruddin deteriorated, Major Ayyapa of the Coy summoned Nursing Assistant Havildar DS Chouhan for medical check up at around 11.30 pm on January 22 .

However, by the time the Nursing Assistant arrived, Md Fajeruddin had breathed his last and Major Ayyapa conveyed the news to the CO of Assam Rifles Naresh Bhardwaj through mobile phone.

Subsequently, the CO and the Major entrusted their sub-ordinates to stage a fake encounter to claim that Md Fajeruddin was killed in a shoot out.

On the same night itself, some ammunition of LMG/AK were pumped into the body of Md Fajeruddin and the same was handed to the police the following morning.

In connection with the incident, police registered a case and started an investigation.

Yet there is strong evidence of the police and the Assam Rifles conniving to hide certain facts of the case.

It has also been learnt the police commandos and the Assam Rifles exchanged arms and ammunition for use in fake encounters and if necessary arms and ammunition were procured from States like Jammu & Kashmir for this specific reason.

A summary court martial at the battalion level is underway in connection with the killing of Md Fajeruddin under questionable circumstances.

The security forces, whether they are police, Army or the Central Para-Military force have been accused of eliminating suspects and even innocent civilians after capture and passing it off as an ecnounter.

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