FIR names Robinhood as accused, not victim
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 16 2015 : Now it has come to light.

The First Information Report (FIR) lodged with Porompat police station on July 8 has named Sapam Robinhood as an accused charged under Sections 147, 148, 149 and 353 of the Indian Penal Code and not as a victim in police action.

The FIR, a copy of which is available with The Sangai Express, squarely said that the police personnel swung into action after the students of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy, numbering about 400/500, "turned violent and pelted stones towards the security personnel who were on duty at Minuthong Hatta area for proceeding towards the Assembly hall, Imphal West" .

During the dispersal of "crowds/unruly mobs", one student of the said school received serious injuries and he was evacuated to the hospital for treatment, said the FIR.

Thereafter a regular case under FIR number 205 (7) 015 PRT-PS u/s 147/148/149/3531 IPC and 7 Cril Law Amendment Act was registered suo motto for investigation, added the FIR.

File pic of students protesting on July 8 and inset S Robinhood

Incidentally section 147 deals with punishment for rioting, 148 for rioting, armed with deadly weapons, 149 with unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object and 353 with assault or criminal force to deter public servants from discharging his duty.

Nowhere does the FIR mention the death of Robinhood and it is not yet clear whether a different FIR on his death has been filed or not.

The FIR in its entirety is reproduced here;
Today i.e.8/7/2015 at 1.20 pm received a reliable information that on the same day at about 1.15 pm some students of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy numbering about 400/500 who are supporters of Inner Line Permit Demand Committee came out at Minuthong Hatta Golapati side and the crowd turned violent and pelted stones towards the security personnel who were on duty at Minuthong Hatta area for proceeding towards the Assembly hall, Imphal West.

The rioting crowds started moving the sensitive zone of Imphal town area and became more violent and there was apprehension of destroying Government properties.

In the meantime, Executive Magistrate, Imphal East on duty at the spot ordered to use minimum force like lathi charge, tear gas shells, rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

Accordingly police personnel dispersed the mob using tear gas shells, lathi and rubber bullets.

Even use of tear gas shells and rubber bullets, lathi charge could not disperse the riots crowd.

During the dispersal of the crowds/unruly mobs, one student of the said school received serious injury on his persons and he was evacuated to nearby hospital for treatment.

Hence it is considered to initiate a case and accordingly registered regular case under FIR No.205 (7) 015 PRT-PS u/s 147/148/149/353 IPC and 7 Cril Law Amendment Act suo motto for investigation.

The place of occurrence has been given as Minuthong, Hatta located about 2 kilometres north of the police station.

On the other hand the parents of the late student have submitted an application to the DGP, urging him to take cognizance of the fact that Robinhood was killed in police action and to register a fresh FIR against the police personnel concerned as well as the Executive Magistrate, Imphal East and to provide a certified copy to them.

Negating the claims made in the FIR by the police, the parents, Sapam Romesh Singh and Sapam ongbi Raj Kumari Babita Devi said that the police team swooped down on the students who were on a peaceful rally.

Without any warning the police started a lathi charge and fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets.

Warning is required by law, added the parents.

The police team did not use any PA system to address the rally and convince the students to turn back, said the application and added that no water hose was also used.

After most of the students had dispersed, the police fired rubber bullets from close range on the few remaining peaceful rallyists, added the parents.

It was at this time that Robinhood was seriously injured by a rubber bullet hitting him on the left chin.

After Robinhood fell, some of his friends tried to evacuate him to hospital but they were prevented from doing so by the police and he remained at the spot where he fell for more than 10 minutes.

It was only after the arrival of a man on a scooter that Robinhood was taken to Public Hospital by his friend, Malemnganba.

At Public Hospital, Robinhood was referred to Raj Medicity and he was rushed there where he was given prompt treatment.

However Robinhood expired soon after at Raj Medicity.

After it was learnt that the police had registered an FIR, the parents tried to get a copy of the same but it was not given, contended the parents and added that even after an application was submitted to the SP of Imphal East it was not given.

It was only the family filed a case with the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, was the FIR report given, said the application.

The parents expressed shock that their son was made to be the accused in the FIR and urged the DGP to file a fresh FIR and cautioned that they may go to EEVFAM to approach the Supreme Court or file a writ petition before the Manipur High Court.