Entering victim's house is an offence: Panel
Extra-judicial Killings: Inquiry-Day 3
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 05 2013: The reported entry of a police team led by Officer-in-Charge of Imphal West District Police Commando Inspector John into the house of a victim of alleged extrajudicial killing, which is under probe, created quite an uproar in the ongoing proceedings of the Supreme Court-appointed three-member Inquiry Commission at Hotel Classic here today.

The Commission made it declared to Inspector John that entering the victim's house was an offence.

Mention may be made here that Nameirakpam ongbi Lembi Leima, mother of a victim named Nobo of Bashikhong Mamang Leikai, had filed a petition to the Commission yesterday stating that one Inspector John of Manipur Police Commando entered her home and offered job for his second son.

The Commission produced the petition for discussion in the proceeding today and summoned Inspector John for recording his statement.

During the cross examination, Inspector John claimed that his entry to the victim's house was related to an investigation.

However, the Commission told him that his entry to the victim's house was an offence punishable under the law of the land.

Counsel of Manipur Police Advocate N Jotindro prayed before the Commission to excuse the offence of the Inspector.

However, the Commission expressed serious concern over the entry of Inspector John to a petitioner's house without informing a senior officer or Police counsel and said that it would not take the matter lightly.

It also questioned why the Counsel did not instruct the police personnel not to enter any petitioner's or victim's house.

Observing that peace and normalcy could not be brought about in the state with such politics, the Commission made it clear that it would not excuse the offence of the Inspector and the Commission would discuss the case in detail later on.

When Counsel of Manipur Police tried to cite various reasons for the Inspector to enter the petitioner's house, member of the commission, JM Lyngdoh told Counsel N Jotindro to remain silent on the matter.

On the third day of the proceedings today, Petitioner Counsel Senior Advocate Mukul Singh cross-examined police personnel who submitted affidavits in connection with the alleged fake encounter case of Md Azad Khan of Phoubakchao Makha Leikai, who was killed in March, 2009 .

Petitioner's Counsel cross-examined five police personnel regarding the case while respondent's Counsel cross-examined one civilian witness today.

Apart from this, amicus curiae Menaka Guruswamy also cross-examined some police witnesses.

Furthermore, the Forensic Science Laboratory Report of Md Azad Khan was recorded by the Commission and marked it as an exhibit.

After completing cross-examination of police witnesses of Md Azad Khan case, Petitioner's Counsel cross-examined the police witnesses in connection with the case of Kh Osonjit of Road Konjeng Hazari Leikai, who was allegedly killed in a fake encounter by Manipur Police Commandos in 2010 today evening.

The Commission could only complete cross-examined witnesses of respondents for one case on the third day of the proceeding.

In all likelihood, the Commission would be needing more time to complete the proceedings.

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