All six cases were fake encounters : Panel
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 04 2013: Presenting its report to the Supreme Court, the Inquiry Commission headed by Justice (Retd) Santosh Hedge which probed six selected cases of alleged extra judicial killings in Manipur, has categorically stated that all the six cases were fake encounters.

The Commission, which conducted a lengthy hearing at Imphal and New Delhi since March 4 this year, presented its report as Item No 1 at Court No 4 of the Supreme Court at about 10.30 am today.

The report was opened by Justice Aftab Alam, conveyed HRA executive director Babloo Loitongbam during a press meet at their office here this afternoon.

The Commission also enquired into the past antecedents of the seven victims of the six cases of extra judicial killings.

Its reports categorically stated that none of the victims had any criminal record and all of them were innocent.

Former Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh and former Karnataka DGP Ajay Kumar are other members of the Commission.

There were certain areas of resentment regarding today's Court proceeding, Babloo said.

Even as copies of the report were made available to respondents; Defence Ministry, Home Ministry and Government of Manipur, no copy of the report was given to the petitioners.

Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves who appeared on behalf of the petitioners expressed displeasure at the Court for not making the report available to petitioners.

The Court stated that the report was held back so that it is not sensationalised, Babloo conveyed.

The next hearing of the case has been fixed on April 9 .

Notably, the Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families' Association Manipur (EEVFAM) filed a petition at the Supreme Court seeking establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate 1528 cases of alleged extrajudicial execution that took place in Manipur.

The Inquiry Commission which presented its report at the apex Court today was set up in response to the petition.

The apex Court selected six cases randomly for enquiry by the Commission.

As for the remaining cases, it is hard to comment what the Supreme Court would do about them.

The seven victims of the six extra judicial killings were Md Azad Khan (killed on March 4,2009), Khumbongmayum Orsonjit (March 16, 2010), Nameirakpam Govind and Naimeirakpam Nobo (April 4, 2009), Elangbam Kiranjit (April 24,2009), Chongtham Umakanta (May 5,2009) and Akoijam Priyobarta (March 15,2009) .

EEVFAM president Renu Takhellambam said that she would like to give credit to HRA, HRLN, counsels Colin Gonsalves and Mukul Sinha for the 'success' .

This exposure of facts is a commendable achievement and I'm really happy about it", she said.

EEVFAM secretary Nina Ningombam claimed that henceforth authorities would need to do serious re-thinking before conferring gallantry awards to security personnel known for their involvement in fake encounters.

"We are eagerly awaiting the next step of the Supreme Court", Nina added.

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