Megha released on bail
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 13 2009: KHWAIRAKPAM Megha who was handed over by the Assam Rifles to the police claiming that he was apprehended from Moreh even though he was abducted by a few police commandos from Khagempali in Imphal West has been released on bail by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chandel where he was produced today.

Mention may be made that when reports of missing of Megha who had been picked up by some personnel of the Imphal East district police commandos were published, troops of Assam Rifles handed him over to the Imphal police station on May 8 saying that he was apprehended by them as PLA cadre from Moreh.

MLA O Joy consoling a weeping Kh Megha in front of the court after his release on bail

Moreh police station registered a case under section 20 of UA (P) A Act after Imphal police station referred him to them.

In the court of the CJM, Chandel today where Megha was produced, the counsel of Megha, advocate Khaidem Mani argued that the charges levelled against Megha were unfounded and baseless.

He prayed the court not to remand him further in the police custody, instead release him on bail.

Advocate Mani further argued that Megha was rounded up by a team of Imphal East police commandos around 10 am of May 6.He is the proprietor of the Iron and Steal Industries, RIMS road.

The fact that he was picked up by some police personnel came to light when the family traced his whereabouts.

Some police officers also helped in the search for Megha.

Those who were involved in picking him up along with other two persons said to be informers are in the custody of the police.

Production of a man picked up by the police commandos from Imphal area by the Assam Rifles with the claim of arresting him from Moreh, that too as a cadre of PLA is a quite surprising and simply unbelievable, Advocate Mani pointed out.

He further said that there were reports of keeping Megha in the house of former MP, Holkhomang Haokip and alleged that he was later handed over to AR by the police commandos.

It is strongly believed that there was a plan to kill Megha, the Advocate said and pointed out that the Honda Activa which he was riding at the time of his so called arrest was found repainted and sold out.

The man who bought it has also been interrogated.

In reality, in the state, Army is doing whatever they wanted except with the police and the ministers.

It is like there is no law in the land, he said.

Later, a ruling of the CJM released him on bail with a surety bond of Rs 10,000 .

After court released him on bail, Megha was welcome home by womenfolk of the area including MLA Langthabal A/C O Joy who elaborately spoke on the controversial detention of the Megha.

He was picked by some police commandos on their own interest without the knowledge of their officers.

Two cases were registered with the police with regard to the Megha abduction incident.

The instant has clearly showed that there are some persons in the police commando set up acting as police.

He also observed that using drug abuse persons by the police in their intelligence network will bring a worse situation in countering with the insurgencies instead of achieving the goal.

Joy while observing that detention of Megha for seven days in the police custody is a wrong one and he will not leave any stone unturned till justice is delivered on the matter.

Megha talking to reporters said he feels happy on thinking that he will meet his children and family but he still worried on his future life after he freed.

He further recalled that on the day of picking up him on May 6, he was kept at a house beleivd to belong to a tribal community.

After then he was shifted to place where voice of speaking in Hindi could heard.

He was shifted there with blind fold and hand tied at the back.

There, apart from threatening him to kill, they also scolded him.

Among the army one seems to be a tribal from Churachandpur.

Only one Tamil showed sympathy to his cry and hear his telling, he added.