True face of an Ashok Chakra awardee
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 10 2013: In what could come as a serious blow to the authorities of Assam Rifles, Major D Sreeram Kumar of 39 Assam Rifles, who was awarded the prestigious Ashok Chakra, the highest peace time gallantry of the country in appreciation of his outstanding performance in combating militancy in Manipur on the occasion of Independence Day celebration in 2010, has been found involved in various fake encounters as well.

Major Sreeram Kumar is presently facing trial over two cases of extra-judicial killings in the law court.

The cases related to killing of two brothers in an alleged encounter with the Assam Rifles while Major Sreeram Kumar was posted in Manipur.

True face of an Ashok Chakra awardee

The statement of Major D Sreeram Kumar was also among others recorded by the Supreme Court-appointed Commission in connection with probe into six alleged cases of extra-judicial killings in Manipur.

The Commission had randomly chosen the six cases for probe from among more than 1500 such cases listed and submitted by the Extra-judicial Execution Victims Families Association to the Supreme Court.

The two cases in which Major Sreeram Kumar is found involved are related to the killing of two brothers namely N Nobo and N Govind.

In the statement given to the Commission, Major D Sreeram Kumar said that he was not involved in the killing of N Nobo and N Govind and it has nothing to do with his Ashok Chakra award.

However, in the official statement released in connection with awarding Ashok Chakra to him, it was clearly mentioned killing of 12 UG cadres, arrest of another 23 cadres and recovery of 12 arms during counter insurgency operations carried out by Major Sreeram as his achievements.

In addition to this, his great role during the "Operation Hifazad" carried out by 39 Assam Rifles in 2008 to drive out insurgents from the soil of Manipur was highlighted.

The statement of Major Sreeram Kumar was taken by the Supreme Court appointed commission on March 14 last at New Delhi as his name was included in the affidavit filed by Extra-judicial Execution Victims Families Association for alleged involvement in the extra-judicial killings.

In the midst of all these, the involvement of the Ashok Chakra awardee Major in the killing of Yengkhom Krishnadas of Kakching Sumak Leikai, who was found murdered at Lilong after being abducted for ransom from his father-in-law's residence at Thangmeiband Khomdram Selungba Leikai on June 10, 2009 has already been confirmed by the police.

The involvement of Major D Sreeram Kumar in the killing of Krishnadas came to light after his name was mentioned by Md Amir Ahmad, who is presently in judicial custody in connection with the case, during police investigation.

Md Amir Ahmad's statement is also mentioned in the report submitted by the IO of the case to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Accordingly, the Manipur Police or the Court could summon Major Sreeram Kumar for interrogation.

It may be mentioned that Major D Sreeram Kumar is presently posted at Army War College, Mhow in Madhya Pradesh.