Cops summoned
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 12 2019: Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West has issued summons on five accused cops today, directing them to appear for necessary proceedings on October 17, after taking cognizance against them in connection with the charge sheet submitted by CBI/SIT regarding the alleged fake encounter/extra judicial killing of Khumbongmayum Orsonjit at Taothong Makha Leikai on March 12, 2010.Mention may be made that the charge sheet was submitted before the Court for necessary proceedings in May this year but due to the failure to grant prosecution sanction against the accused cops from the authority concerned, the Court did not take up cognizance back then.

Today, Special Secretary (Home, Manipur) granted necessary prosecution sanction against the accused cops namely then Havildar Laishram Premkumar of Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai, then Havildar Leichongbam Romesh of Vijang (near Tuibong forest gate, Churachandpur), then Constable Md Ibomcha Shah of Yairipok Tulihal, then Constable Ahkub Luther Kom of Thayong village (Lamlai) and then Havildar Khwairakpam Somendro of Thanga Oinam Khwairakpam Leikai.

During the proceedings, the Court heard and went through the charge sheet submitted by CBI/ SIT and satisfied with the materials, it issued summons to the cops directing them to appear before the Court on October 17 .

It may be mentioned that the charge sheet was submitted by DSP, VP, S Mann, CBI and DSP, DS Chauhan, CBI STB, New Delhi, in May this year based on an FIR of Lamshang PS of March 16, 2010, submitted by Laishram Premkumar.

The report stated that on that day (March 16), at around 2.30 pm, after receiving reliable information that armed UG cadres were roaming on an Activa in and around Tharoijam and Taothong area, a police team rushed to the spot and conducted frisking-checking at the Tharoijam and Taothong road, at Taothong Makha Leikai area.

During the check, a person riding an Activa was seen coming towards them and the police signalled the individual to stop.

However, the unknown driver (Kh Orsonjit) began firing towards the police team and as such, the police team retaliated and Orsonjit died on the spot, the report claimed.

The report continued that one .32 pistol with two live ammunition and empty cases, along with a mobile phone and an RC book of the vehicle, were recovered from the deceased as well.

The charge sheet explained that as per the investigation by CBI/SIT, it came to light that the deceased was working with M/S Zingchar Bio Initiatives, as an oil refiller for BTS tower of Tata Indicom and in the morning of day of the incident, he left his home at around 8.30 am after informing his mother that he was going to get his vehicle repaired.

At around 11 am of the same day, Orsonjit's father received a phone call from a person who introduced himself as a friend of his son, intimating that Orsonjit had been arrested by commando personnel from near OK Hotel.

Upon enquiry by the family members, it was learned that Orsonjit was arrested by commando personnel in plain clothes, from OK Hotel, MG Avenue and had been taken away in a Rakshak vehicle.

Some of the family members then went to Imphal West commando complex at around 2 pm to enquire about Orsonjit and while they were giving details about him, a message was received in the police wireless set that an Activa borne youth had been killed in an encounter with a commando team.

The charge sheet continued that when the family members asked about the incident, the police only informed them that the person killed in the encounter is very young but refused to divulge any further information despite repeated requests.

Later, at around 5.30 pm of the same day, it was learned that it was Orsonjit who had been killed in the supposed encounter and his body had been deposited at RIMS morgue, after which some of the family members went to RIMS morgue and confirmed the body as that of Orsonjit.

It was further mentioned that during the investigation by CBI, some of the witnesses from near the incident site stated that the incident occurred at around 1 pm or 1.10 pm of May 16 .

The post mortem report of the deceased mentioned that 5 bullet entrance and exit wounds were found on the body, apart from the presence of lacerated wounds on the fingers of the deceased as well.

The charge sheet mentioned that as per the report of the commando personnel, the deceased had fired a single bullet at them and reasoned that firing 41 bullets against the deceased definitely comes under excessive use of force, especially when the deceased was alone and not more than two live cartridges and one empty case were recovered from the encounter site and the five trained commando personnel had the opportunity to overpower him.

The CBI charge sheet continued that the commando personnel had created a false story to protect themselves from their offence and explained that as per the fact, evidences and circumstances, the 5 police commando personnel are liable for prosecution and prayed for taking cognizance against the accused commando personnel and to issue necessary notice against them.

Comment