UNC leaders further remanded to police custody
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 17 2017: United Naga Council (UNC) president Gaidon Kamei and information secretary Shangkhel Stephen have been further remanded to five days police custody of Nungba police station till January 21 .

The accused Gaidon Kamei (52) s/o (L) Landou Kamei of Noney Part 1 presently staying at Namdulung and Shangkhel Stephen (36) s/o (L) Shangkhel Thammok of Komsem village were produced before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal East today in connection with FIR No 48 (11) 2016 Nungba police station filed against them under Section 124-A/120-B/153-A/506 IPC.

The Court heard statements of the defense counsel of the arrested UNC leaders, N Mahendra and APP of the State.

UNC leaders further remanded to police custody

It also heard applications placed by counsels Samom Ibgen, Ch Bimolchandra, Salam Devananda and Thajamanbi who are assisting the APP of the State.

The Investigating Officer of the case submitted a prayer before the Court wherein he contended that the burning of vehicle bearing registration number MNO7C-376 loaded with rice at Sibilong along National Highway 37 was carried out by the two arrested UNC leaders along with some officials of the group namely K Thomas, Kangkieng Kamei, David Kamei and James Inka to create more trouble.

He stated that hectic efforts had been made to arrest the UNC officials who are absconding but proved futile.

The IO also stated that arrest of the absconding officials is necessary for speedy investigation of the case.

He pleaded the Court to grant 10 days police remand of the two arrested UNC leaders.

The APP and other applicants also prayed for further police custody remand of the two accused.

Raising objection to the prayer, the defense counsel pleaded with the Court to grant bail to the two arrested leaders as most of the charges levelled in the FIR are "bailable offences" .

The defense counsel also argued that the accused are not directly involved in the crime and the ongoing economic blockade on the National Highways is not a criminal offence.

The APP reminded the Court that the arrested UNC leaders had already been remanded to judicial custody in connection with other FIRs registered against them.

After perusing all the submissions, the Court agreed to grant five days police custody remand for the two alleged accused instead of 10 days as the IO has not finished the investigation on time.

The Court also directed Nungba police to produce the two arrested UNC leaders on January 21 at 2.30 pm.

It further ruled that the applications filed by the accused under CrPC Section 437 will be considered on January 21 and asked the police station concerned to give them due medical treatment and proper food while they are in police custody.

Meanwhile, the two arrested UNC leaders have filed a bail application in the District and Session Court which has been listed to be heard tomorrow.