Alleged fake encounter killings Court issues notice to 9 cops for charge hearing on May 26

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 23: Session Judge, Imphal East today registered a special trial case and issued notice to nine police personnel and fixed May 26 for charge hearing in connection with the alleged fake encounter killing of one Elangbam Kiranjit of Thoubal Haokha by a combined team of Thoubal commando and 23 Assam Rifles on May 24, 2009.
The special trial case was registered against Thoubal commando Jemadar Hollal Haokip (46) s/o Tongkholum Haokip of Moreh Ward No 7 then Havildar 1st MR attached to Thoubal commando, Kameidun Kamei James (38) s/o  Ibohal of Keikhu Kabui village then Rifleman 2nd IRB attached to Thoubal commando, Laishram Basanta (41) s/o Birsing of Pangei Yangdong village then Riflemen of 1st MR attached to Thoubal commando, S Naba (41) s/o (L) Keshori of Kakching Wairi Thongam Leikai then Rifleman of 3rd IRB  attached to Thoubal commando, Darsmol Sankhil Lamkang (41) s/o Bhardamal of Thamal Khurem village then Rifleman of 3rd IRB  attached to Thoubal commando, Tombing Thangsiamlal Paite (39) s/o (L) Khamzachin of New Lamka Dorcas Veng then Rifleman of 2nd MR  attached to Thoubal commando, Tantang Moses Maring (36) s/o Tanthang Korung Maring of Langol village Pallel then Rifleman of 3rd IRB  attached to Thoubal commando, Serto Tiken Kom (41) s/o Jiten of Mantak village then Rifleman of 4th IRB  attached to Thoubal commando, Mangital Vaiphei (42) s/o (L) Ngamjatong of Kamuching.
The case record was received by the Session Court Imphal East from Chief Judicial Magistrate as a committed case.
Even as the CJM Imphal East directed the accused persons to appear before the Session Court, Imphal East on May 18, the accused could not due to water-logging in the Court complex.
Nonetheless, the Court issued notice to the accused persons and fixed May 26 for hearing of the charges levelled against them by CBI in their charge-sheet.
Notably, the CBI submitted a charge-sheet against them before the CJM Imphal East in August 2018 after investigating the case following a directive from the Supreme Court.
The apex Court issued the directive after perusing a writ petition filed by the Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association (EEVFAM) and the Human Rights Alert (HRA).
Lamlai Police registered an FIR case on April 24, 2009 in connection with the alleged fake encounter based on a complaint lodged by accused Jemadar Hollal Haokip.
According to the complaint, a combined team of Thoubal commando and a column of 23 Assam Rifles, on getting specific information regarding movement of two underground cadres holding weapons in between Sabungkhok and Laikot area, laid an ambush and at around 6 am, they saw two persons moving toward them in a suspicious manner.
On being challenged, the unknown persons allegedly opened fire upon the combined team who retaliated resulting in a gun battle which lasted for around 15 minutes. In the alleged encounter, one underground cadre was killed while another managed to escape taking advantage of thick vegetation on the surrounding hills.
It was also alleged in the complaint that the combined team recovered one 9 mm pistol with two live rounds after the encounter.
After taking over the same case from Lamlai police station, CBI registered an FIR.
During investigation, family members of late Elangbam Kiranjit revealed that on April 23, 2009 Elangbam Kiranjit left home at around 3 pm to search for their cow at Thoubal Khuman on a bicycle.
He carried a rope and a mobile phone but he did not return till evening and his mobile phone could not be reached.
The next day, Elangbam Kiranjit’s younger brother was informed by someone that security forces took one person with them and left one bicycle.
On getting this information, Kiranjit’s family went to Thoubal district police headquarters but they were informed that police did not pick up Elangbam Kiranjit.
On their way home, they got information that a dead body was lying at RIMS morgue and the same was later identified as that of Elangbam Kiranjit.