SDPO murder accused sent to jail
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 09 2024: Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate who are said to be the prime accused in the murder case of Moreh SDPO Ch Anandkumar have been remanded to judicial custody till February 23 .

Philip Khaikholal Khongsai (43) s/o late Marcus Khongsai of Moreh Ward No 8 and Hemkholal Mate (35) s/o late Otkholun Mate were produced before the Special Court (NIA), Imphal West today through video conference by a team of Moreh police station along with a prayer for judicial custody remand.

Philip Khaikholal Khongsai is an ex-serviceman of 14th Assam Regiment.

He joined the regiment in 1999 and got pension in 2018 .

He is presently serving as president of Moreh Youth Club, executive member of Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal and leader of Moreh Defence Force which was allegedly set up and trained by the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) .

Hemkholal Mate is chief of K Moulsang village and also a leader of Village Volunteer Force.

The two were arrested by police on January 15 .

The Defence Counsel of the accused persons filed a remand objection along with a prayer for releasing them on bail.

Through a Special PP, the IO of the case submitted that at around 9.40 am on October 31, 2023, Kuki militants fired toward a combined team of district police Tengnoupal, Special commando and personnel of 5th Indian Reserve Battalion while the security personnel were cleaning the playground of Eastern Shine School located at Moreh Turel Wangma Ward Number 7 .

SDPO Moreh Ch Anandkumar was hit by a bullet on his stomach and was rushed to Primary Health Centre, Moreh but he succumbed to the injury.

Subsequently, a suo moto case was registered for investigation.

During interrogation in police custody, Philip Khaikholal Khongsai disclosed that he is the president of Moreh Youth Club, a member of Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal and involved in activities of Kuki Inpi, Tengnoupal but he is not disclosing anything about the assassination of SDPO Anandkumar.

Notably, Philip Khaikholal Khongsai did not put his signature on the arrest memo after he was formally arrested with the order of Session Judge, Imphal West.

Hemkholal Mate revealed that he is the chief of Moulsang village, Moreh and a close associate of Philip Khaikholal Khongsai but refused to disclose much about the case and his involvement in the crime.

Hemkholal Mate too did not put his signature on the arrest memo after he was formally arrested.

However, investigation of the case revealed that Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate are leaders of Moreh Defence Force and Village Volunteers Moreh who have been ambushing and attacking State Police, Assam Rifles and other Central Forces deployed at Moreh.

Photos of Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate along with other leaders of Village Volunteers Moreh and its members also surfaced in social media.

It was further submitted that Philip Khaikholal Khongsai had grudges with SDPO Anandkumar and at multiple instances, he threatened and warned the SDPO of dire consequences.

It also came to light that Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate are the main culprits of the murder case of SDPO Anandkumar.

The investigation of the case is on in full swing.

Requisition for SDR and CDR of mobile phones of the two accused have also been sent to the authority concerned to extract more evidence related to the crime, the IO said.

The Court, after hearing both the counsels at length and on perusal of the case record, remanded the two accused in judicial custody till February 23 .

Nonetheless, the Court allowed the defence counsel to hold a video conference with the accused tomorrow.

Altogether nine persons including Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate, and one Myanmar National were arrested in connection with the case by police along with arms, ammunition and explosive items.

The seven other accused arrested in connection with the case and who are in judicial custody have been already identified as Letngam Lupho (55) s/o Jangkhothang Lupho of Yangoupokpi village, Jamkhohao Lupho (47) s/o Lhunkhopao Lupho of Yangoupokpi village, George Holkhosat Khongsai (24) s/o Jacob Ngamjathang Khongsai of Munnom Veng, Moreh 2, Letgoulen Doungel (25) s/o Lethang Doungel of Zion Veng near Moreh Sub Divisional Hospital, Jangkhohao Haokip (34) s/o (late) Jamkithang Haokip of Zion Veng near Moreh Sub Divisional Hospital, Jangkhomang Baite (21) s/o Holkhozam Baite of Munnom Veng Moreh and Ma Mong Shu (26) yrs s/o (late) Mong Thong of Namphalong, Myanmar.

Comment