Ghost of 1998 Kwakeithel bloodbath returns to haunt cops
Killing of Major Shaiza: Court frames charges
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 04 2025: The Court of Session Judge, Imphal West today framed charges against then Sub Inspector Thokchom Krishnatombi, Imphal West Commando and three others in connection with the alleged fake encounter/extrajudicial killing of Major Shimreingam Shaiza alias Major Shaiza and four others on August 29, 1998 morning along Imphal Airport road under Singjamei police station, Imphal West.

Late Major Shaiza was the younger brother of former Chief Minister late Yangmasho Shaiza.

The charges were framed against then Sub Inspector Thokchom Krishnatombi of Tabungkhok Makha Leikai, then Constable Khundongbam Inaobi of Minuthong Kabo Leikai, then Constable Thangkhongam Lungdim of G Songgel village and Md Akhtar Hussain of Yairipok Tulihal Konjil Leikai under sections 302/307/ 201 and 34 of Indian Penal code for trial.

Killing of Major Shaiza: Court frames charges

The charge order said that the case was earlier registered as FIR number 185(8)1998 at Singjamei police station on the basis of a complaint report submitted by then Sub Inspector Th Krishnatombi stating that a team of Imphal West commando was operating in Kwakeithel area to effect arrest of some underground cadres.

As the commando team set off to move toward Singjamei side, one four-wheeler vehicle with Nagaland registration number was seen coming in high speed and in a very suspicious manner, and the muzzle of a weapon suspected to be AK 47 rifle was seen through the side windscreen.

The commando team signalled the car to halt the car but it did not pay any heed and sped away toward the airport.

The commando team made a brief chase but the occupants of the car fired upon them in which one vehicle of the commando team was hit and damaged.

Left with no other option, the commandos returned fire in self defence with a bonafide belief that the firing came from inside the car.

In the retaliatory fire, five occupants got bullet injuries and three of them succumbed on the spot while the other two were evacuated to hospital.

One of the injured persons succumbed to the injuries on the way to hospital.

On checking the car, two AK-47 rifles with magazines loaded with six rounds each and one empty magazine were found on the rear seat by the side of two deceased persons.

On the other hand, in compliance with an order passed by the Supreme Court on July 14, 2017 which directed the Director, CBI to nominate a group of five officers to go through the record of the case and lodge necessary FIR and to complete the investigation, Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by CBI of July 27, 2017.Subsequently, a regular case was registered by Special Cell III, CBI by taking over the FIR registered at Singjamei police station regarding the death of Major Shimreingam Shaiza and four others.

While hearing the matter on 12 February 2018, the Supreme Court passed on order directing the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to depute three persons to associate with the SIT in investigating the case.

Thereafter, the Registrar (Law), NHRC constituted a three-member team and on the basis of the report of Justice C Upendra Commission of Enquiry which said that SI Krishnatombi, SI Rajen, Constable Akhtar Hussain, Inaobi, Thongkhongam Lungdim and Ginkhanlei Vaiphei, all commando personnel of Imphal West were responsible for the killing of Major S Shaiza, Rukhoshele, Tosovchu Chakhesang, Kikheto Sema and H Budha and causing bullet injury to Thenucho.

During investigation it was revealed that another FIR was registered at Singjamei police station based on the direction of ACJM, Imphal on September 5, 1998 based on a complaint lodged by Pemla Shaiza w/o late Major S Shaiza.

The FIR stated that Major S Shaiza along with four others namely; Thenucho ( Ex-Speaker, Nagaland), Tusovihu of Nagaland Police, Kekheto Sema of Nagaland Police and Rukno Saila, driver of the car, were travelling in the car when the commando personnel fired upon them at Kwakeithel as a result of which her husband along with three occupants died and Thenucho was seriously injured.

One civilian, Hidam Budha of Kwakeithel Akham Leikai also died in the incident.

The complaint also stated that on August 29, 1998, commando personnel had committed cold blooded, gruesome and dastardly murder by indiscriminate firing upon the five occupants of the car and another civilian without any provocation.

Moreover, the commando personnel inflicted grievous injury upon Thenucho which amounted to attempt to murder.

The victims are all innocent persons and the police have been trying to conceal their crimes by fabricating a tale of an encounter between commandos and unknown armed personnel.

The Court's charge order said investigation has revealed material indicating the accused persons planted a rifle on the road and created a false story to screen themselves and their team members from the offences committed by them.

During the hearing, the Special PP, CBI sought to frame charges against the accused for trial under section 302/ 307/ 201 and 34 IPC while the defence counsels did not make any submission.

The Court, after hearing the submission of Special PP and on perusal of submitted charge sheet and other materials on record, ordered that charges shall be framed against the accused persons namely; Th Krishnatombi, Kh Inaobi, Thangkhongam Lungdim and Md Akhtar Hussain under section 302/307/201 and 34 IPC The Court order mention that the Home Department, Government of Manipur denied prosecution sanction against four other accused namely; Nongmaithem Rameshwor, Baremon Khamjai, Khundrakpam Ranjeet and Leitanthem Sharat, all of them then commando personnel of Imphal West, and as such, the case cannot proceed against them.

Notably, in June 2020, CBI/SIT, after completion of their investigation, submitted a charge sheet before the Court concerned for further necessary legal procedure.