Gaikhangam acts on fake encounter allegation, 4 cops suspended
Wrongs not to be tolerated : HM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 05 2012: Clearly sending out the message that excesses and high handedness of the police will not be tolerated, the State Government has placed under suspension four policemen including a Sub-Inspector in connection with the fake encounter allegations raised against the killing of a 42 year old man.

Thiyam Romenkumar of Irom Meijrao Makha Leikai, who was allegedly pulled up from his bed, clad only in a khudei (loin cloth) on October 1 was later found shot dead fully attired at about 5.45 am on October 2 at Lamdeng Khunou under Lamshang police station.

The police had claimed that he was killed in a shoot out, but this was refuted by the 15 year old son of the deceased who claimed that his father was taken away by the police clad only in a khudei.

The suspension order which was issued today, has named the four personnel as SI P Dineshkanta Singh, Constable Th Netajit Singh (No.0901123) , Constable H Chetan Singh (No.0901542) and Constable N Rajesh Singh (No 10D0848) .

All the suspended personnel as attached to the Commando section of Imphal West police.

During the period of their suspension their headquarters will be Reserve Line, Imphal West and they will not leave the headquarters without prior permission, said the suspension order.

Gaikhangam

Subsistence allowance will be given, permissible under rules, during the period of their suspension.

According to the story narrated by the 15 year old son of the deceased, his father was taken away clad only in a khudei in the night of October 1 by armed in plain clothes, who broke open the door of their house.

The next morning, the police claimed that Romenkumar was killed in an encounter.

Alleging that Romen-kumar was killed in a staged encounter, a Joint Action Committee was formed and they petitioned the Home Minister to take up fitting action against the police personnel within three days time.

Elaborating, Gaikhangam said immediately an inquiry was conducted and on identifying the personnel, they were disarmed and their suspension order was issued today.

The suspension of the four police personnel is a clear indication that the Government will not tolerate any excesses from the police personnel, said Gaikhangam.

On recent directives from the Supreme Court on extra-judicial killings, the Home Minister said that the Government will not spare anyone found guilty of violating the law, no matter how big one may be.

The Home Minister also assured that those involved in the brutal murder of 19 year old Catherine of Pallel would not be spared.

Catherine, who stayed with her elder sister at a rented room at Pallel, went missing for some days before her brutalised body was found later at a spot at Ibudhou Sengmai Ningthou Lai Lam Thokpam hillock.

Assurance has been given to the community/village leaders and elders that the culprits would not be allowed to escape the law, said Gaikhangam and added that due instructions have been issued to the SP of Chandel to probe the matter and take it to its logical conclusion.

He exuded confidence that positive results will soon emerge.

According to independent sources, the police have been able to zero in on some suspects, who are close to the late girl, and they may be picked up soon.

On the recent spurt of activities of the militant outfits, the latest being the ambush laid on the convoy of Chandel SP on Imphal-Moreh route yesterday, Gaikhangam said due measures have been taken up.

He added that the identity of the group which carried out the ambush is almost confirmed.

The Home Minister along with the DGP also visited the injured cops recuperating at RIMS today.