Justice for Sanaton warns indefinite bandh
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 25 2021:
Demanding impartial probe into the death of the 22-year-old medical student at RIMS, the Justice for Sanaton Athokpam has warned that an indefinite bandh will be imposed in Khurai area from tomorrow, said sources.
The call for bandh was raised disappointed with the current state of the investigation and lack of concrete steps to find out the truth, said the sources.
Meanwhile, the Justice for Sanaton Athokpam in a statement asserted that the police have not yet registered an FIR to properly investigate the "suspected murder" of the MBBS student.
For swift and speedy investigation and early justice, the police should register an FIR and probe the death.
There have been many elements and evidence which pointed towards RIMS allegedly trying to cover up the death, and as such the Director of the institute should be kept under suspension for the duration of the investigation to stop him "influencing" the case, said Justice for Sanaton Athokpam.
Pointing out many alleged lapses in the investigation after the suspicious death, it noted that Sanaton was allegedly found hanging with his hands tied behind on March 15 inside his room at RIMS Hostel.
After receiving news of his death, family members saw his body at the Casualty Ward with hands tied on his back.
There was a dent mark on his back suspected to have been caused by a heavy object and scratch marks.
His face also had some bruises indicating he was beaten before death and a piece of his left little toe was missing, suspected to have been cut by a sharp object.
His feet had dirt/mud and his neck had ligature marks left by a rope.
His eyes were closed and his tongue wasn't out, said the Justice for Sanaton Athokpam.
It continued that according to the police, the door to his room was broken open by four people by kicking it.
One of the family members who observed the room allegedly noticed the door had no mark caused by the reported kicking.
This was also reflected in the report published by the Imphal Free Press on March 16, it said.
Pointing out further lapses in the handling of the case, the Justice for Sanaton Athokpam said the body was brought by two individuals at the casualty, however there is no report of police questioning the individuals.
It further asked why was the body removed from his room by kicking the door open and without informing the hostel warden and in his absence.
Why was the family not informed in time and why was his body brought at Casualty knowing he was dead? All this these point towards "tampering evidence", it said.
According to the police, Sanaton had missed his dinner on March 14 and also did not take his breakfast and lunch on March 15.The warden should have enquired about his absence and informed family members.
The police should also interrogate the warden, it said.
Meanwhile, when family members enquired about the CCTV footage of the hostel, they were informed that the CCTVs were not working at the time, but are working at present.
It is suspected that some had allegedly tampered with the CCTV footage, the Justice for Sanaton Athokpam asserted adding that the Director of RIMS should give a reply to all these questions.
The Director of the institution is mute and has not yet assured cooperation and an impartial probe.
Demanding that the Director be suspended for the duration of the investigation, the Justice for Sanaton Athokpam said police should also register an FIR in the case and start proper and impartial investigation.
Stringent agitation will be launched if the authorities fail to pay heed to the demand for early justice in the case, said the Justice for Sanaton Athokpam.
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