Imphal, October 22: Bereaved family members have taken back the body of RK Sanajaoba who was shot dead by armed security escorts of Officer-in-charge of Patsoi Police Station over a traffic argument and performed his last rites today.

Family members denied having arrived at any agreement with the Government in taking back the body for cremation.

Sanajaoba was shot dead following an argument with the escort party at Sagolband Khongnang Hogaibi area at around 10.30 am on October 20.The People�s Action Committee (PAC) formed in connection with the killing had refused to take back the body demanding punishment of the guilty police personnel among others.

The PAC had even called a 24-hour State-wide general strike from midnight of October 20 to protest the action of the police.

Talking to mediapersons, bereaved family members clarified that the cremation was performed as the State Government might declare the body as unclaimed.

However, the demand for punishment for the guilty police personnel still stands, they said.

The family members lamented that the State Government has not taken up any steps towards fulfilling the demands placed before the Chief Minister during the joint meeting with PAC representatives on October 20.The body which has been laying at the morgue since October 20 was taken back for performing the customary last rites and rituals in a procession till Sagolband Bijoy Govinda residence of the deceased.

The procession attended by a large number of people passed through RIMS Road, Maharani Thong and brought at Sagolband Khongnang Hogaibi where the incident took place before putting it for rest at the local crematory ground.

The processionists shouted slogans and carried posters and placards with wordings denouncing the action of the police.

It may be noted here the constable Driver N Ibomcha who allegedly shot dead Sanajaoba has been suspended from service and Office-in-charge of Patsoi PS Joycee Lalrimmiwi (on probation) has been denied from assigning any duty.

Meanwhile, Centre for Organization Research and Education (CORE) while strongly condemning the brutal killing of RK Sanajaoba alias Jao (40) has urged the State Govt to conduct a judicial inquiry immediately instead of the departmental inquiry.

Stating that a departmental inquiry would never be acceptable to the people, it said that judicial inquiry must be the norm and not the exception in case of arbitrary killing, summary execution or encounter death involving law enforcement officers.

There is an unhealthy trend of security excesses and summary executions with impunity on unarmed civilians by security forces in Manipur, it added.

Stating that the police personnel involved in the incident including the MPS officer should be held responsible for the barbaric act, it said that punishment should not be given to only the personnel who pulled the trigger but to the whole police team.

Condemning the police action, Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress and All India Students� Federation, Manipur State Council have also condoled the death of Sanajaoba.

They also demanded proper action against the guilty police personnel so that such incidents do not recur.

NH-53 Kanglei Ching-Tam Leimalup, Kangleipak, United Women�s Development Organisation, Nambol; Meira Paibi Welfare Association, Kangleipak and Patsoi Kendra Development Council have also strongly condemned killing of RK Sanajaoba of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda by State police personnel on October 20.Probe order: Even as the police driver who gunned down RK Sanajaoba has been remanded to judicial custody, an order has been issued to probe into the facts and circumstances leading to the death of the 41-year old man.

Reliable sources said that DGP issued the order today asking the IG Intelligence to enquire into the matter in which a driver of the armed security escorts of Officer-in-charge of Patsoi Police Station identified as N Ibomcha allegedly shot dead Sanajaoba at point blank and OC (on probation) Joycee Lalrimmiwi failed to control the situation.

IG Intelligence P Thangthaum would be heading the probe, sources said.

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