Fake encounter case HC orders Rs 7 lakh compensation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 19 2017: A Division Bench of the High Court of Manipur comprising of acting Chief Justice N Kotiswar and Justice Kh Nobin has awarded a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to a petitioner whose son Thangjam Thoithoi alias Anilkumar of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai was killed by a combined team of Manipur Police commandos and 18 Sikh Regiment on January 14, 2012, conveyed a press release issued by the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) .

According to the case dossier, one Jemadar L Bebekananda of 3rd IRB, attached to Imphal West Commando lodged a written report to the OC of Wangoi police station at about 8.30 pm of January 14, 2012 stating that Thangjam Thoithoi was killed in an encounter on Narankonjil-Chandranadi road and one Chinese hand grenade and one 9 mm pistol were found near the dead body .

Nonetheless, the victim's mother Thangjam (O) Apabi filed a writ petition before the High Court on February 18, 2015 subsequent upon which the High Court instituted an enquiry through the District Judge, Imphal West .

The District Judge conducted an extensive enquiry and submitted his report stating that the petitioner's son was killed in cold blooded manner/fake encounter by a combined team of Imphal West commandos, Imphal East commandos and 18 Sikh Regiment led by Jemadar Laitonjam Bebekananda, A Sunder and Major Kamal Sajgotra respectively between 7.30 pm and 7.45 pm of January 14, 2012 on the inter-village road of Chandranadi leading towards Narankonjil .

The report, according to the HRLN press release, categorically stated that Thangjam Thoithoi was killed in a fake encounter, not in exchange of firing or retaliation or encounter .

The High Court heard the matter today and directed the State Government and the Central Government to pay Rs 7 lakh as compensation to the petitioner within five months .

Advocate Meihoubam Rakesh appeared on behalf of the petitioner while CGSC S Samarjeet appeared on behalf of the Union of India and Senior Government Advocate RS Reisang for the State Government, it conveyed.

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