Victims' families demand high level probe
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 27 2012: Disagreeing with the contention of security force authorities that 16-year old Ahanthem Amujao of Sawombung Gate and Sanasam David (25) of Sawombung Leikai were slain in encounters, parents of both the victims have demanded that a high level inquiry be ordered to ascertain veracity of the security forces' claims.

Speaking to newspersons at Manipur Press Club today, Amujao's aunt Ahanthem Ito Devi recounted that the 16-year old (masonry) son of A Basanta, left home on January 27 evening to join his colleagues at the work-place in North AOC area only to be discovered lying at the morgue three days later.

The aunt also claimed to have information about an Imphal police personnel questioning from Amujao's cell-phone on January 29 evening (4.30 pm) why the family members are not looking/searching for Amujao inspite of the youngster not returning home for the last 2/3 days.

Further contending that the said caller (police) asked the family members to verify whether a corpse lying at the morgue is Amujao, Ito Devi said based on the information some relative went to and found Amujao's body on January 30 morning.

Inspite of representations submitted to the DGP and Chief Minister as well as national protection for Child Right Commission in connection with the killing of Amujao there was no relevant processes to probe the matter until the arrival of a Commission team seemingly led to the Government of Manipur announcing on May 20 that a Magisterial Inquiry would be conducted, detailed the victim's aunt who also negated the Government's declaration of Amujao being 18 years of age.

Construing that the Government citing Amujao's age as 18 years is a deliberate attempt to brand the victim as an adult, she informed that family members were against the idea of magisterial inquiry and instead formally apprised officials concerned, including the State's Home Minister Gaikhangam that a high level investigation be ordered.

The proposal for a higher level probe is yet to evoke any positive response from the Government, she informed.

On the otherhand, S brojen, who is the elder brother of David s/o S Shamu, said his brother left behind his wife and a five-month old son.

Informing that David surrendered to authorities of 31 Assam Rifles after being associated with the armed UPPK group for about eight months, Brojen contended that his brother never re-established contact with any outlawed outfits or indulged in unlawful activities from the time he surrendered to the AR till his death.

Remembering a particular incident that could have brought misfortune to the Sanasam family, he said that on January 7 night a police team, who claimed to be from the Commando unit attached to Sekta police outpost came and asked David whether he (David) has any information about one Anand.

David reportedly told the police team that he only knew about Anand hailing from Yairipok and that he met Anand at the time of surrender (to AR) to which the police insisted that David cooperate in arresting Anand.

On February 2 morning David left home telling the family members that he has been summoned by a Major of the 31 Assam Rifles (exit camp near Minuthong commando complex), said Brojen who added that due to certain circumstance David did not meet the Major.

The next day newspapers reported arrest of one Anand by police commandos and the captive reportedly revealing involvement of David in a bomb attacks at Sawombung area which infuriated the locals who demanded an explanation from David, said the elder sibling.

Through telephone conversation David was prepared to explain his case before the locals but at around 9 am another call was received about David running into the same commando team from Sekta outpost at Lamlong area.

David is informed to have told brojen that the commando team would be bringing him home to be present at the local meeting after which no further contact could be established.

The next morning information was received through the newspaper that a combined team of Imphal East and West district police commandos and 9 Sector Assam Rifles gunning down an unidentified person at Langthabal Phura Makhong area, which ultimately turned out to be David.

Not convinced with the police version that David was slain in encounter, Brojen expressed that the Magisterial Inquiry initiated by the Government of manipur will not be able to unravel the entire truth.

To prevent such extra-judicial killing in the future a high level investigation be ordered, pleaded the victim's brother.

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