HC asks NIA to file charge sheet in Jiribam case
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 08 2025: High Court of Manipur on Monday directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to submit a detailed progress report "in terms of charge sheet" in connection with the abduction and killing of six Meetei civilians, including three minor children, by suspected Kuki-Hmar militants in Borobekra block of Jiribam district, on November 11, 2024 .

The directive came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL No 18 of 2024) filed by one Soram Tekendrajit, with the case listed before the division bench of Chief Justice K Somashekar and Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh.

The petitioner's senior counsel, Kh Tarunkumar, and senior public prosecutor-cum-counsel for government (PCCG) for NIA, W Darakeshwor, were present physically before the Court.

"It is clarified that there are 6 (six) persons including 3 (three) minor children in this petition seeking action against the culprits," the Court noted.

The judges expressed concern that although the incident occurred on November 11, 2024, and an FIR registered the same day by the competent authority, "no progress report submitted by the investigation agency concerned under the provision of Section 167 of CrPC and no charge has been filed in the rank of authority".

Observing the prolonged delay, the Court stated, "Keeping in view of the submission made by the senior counsel for the petitioner, it is deemed appropriate that even though the incident occurred on 11.11.2024, it has been almost more than 7 (seven) months.

There is no progress report submitted by NIA represented by W Darakeshwor".

Darakeshwor sought short accommodation, informing the Bench that he intended to submit a detailed progress report in terms of charge sheet.

The Court, however, warned, "If charge sheet is not filed, this matter should be viewed seriously", expressing concern over the apparent lack of progress in the investigation.

Accordingly, the Court directed the NIA's counsel to submit the detailed progress report in terms of charge sheet before the Court of law and listed the matter on July 24, 2025.The petition is related to a brutal episode on November 11, 2024, when a large number of armed Kuki-Hmar militants carried out a coordinated attack on Meetei villages and relief camps housed within Borobekra police station.

The militants also attacked a nearby Central Re serve Police Force (CRPF) camp.

Amidst the intense exchange of gunfire, six Meetei civilians - three adult women and three children - were abducted.

The militants also burned several houses resulting in the death of two elderly men.

During the encounter, 10 militants were killed by CRPF personnel.

In the days following the incident, the bullet-riddled and mutilated bodies of the abducted victims were recovered one after another from Barak River, sparking public outrage and demands for swift justice.

The Borobekra incident triggered widespread violence in various districts of Manipur, including Jiribam, which shares an interstate border with southern Assam.

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