Fake Encounter: HC orders 15 lac compensation to 3 more victims
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 09 2014:
In yet another glaring revelation of justice against the rampant fake encounter dramas designed by the security forces in the state, the High Court of Manipur today passed a significant judgment awarding compensation of Rs.15 lakhs to the families of three victims of fake encounter killings.
A division bench of the High Court of Manipur comprising Chief Justice Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra and Justice Nongmeikapam Koteswar Singh ordered the award of compensation of Rs.5 lakh each to 3 petitioners who filed writ petitions under the initiation of Human Rights Law Network, Manipur.
According to a release issued by Meihoubam Rakesh, Director of Human Rights Law Network, Pheiroijam Keshorjit alias Loketomba Singh of Nongada Awang Leikai in Imphal east who was assisting his brother in executing a contract work, was killed by the personnel of 19 Assam Rifles after arrest while returning home from the worksite on June 20 in 2005 around 4.30 pm.
According to the Assam Rifles version, Pheiroijamba was killed in an encounter at Seijang and Seilen area under Lamlai Police Station.
Following a writ petition filed by Pheiroijam Ongbi Ibeton Devi, mother of the deceased, the High Court instructed District Judge, Manipur West to inquire into the matter to ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the death of Pheiroijam Keshorjit.
Accordingly, the District Judge, Manipur West K.Bipin Chandra Sharma submitted the enquiry report on April 29 in 2011 revealing that the deceased was killed in a fake encounter by the personnel of 19 Assam Rifles, said the release.
After hearing the matter, the High Court of Manipur today directed the Union of India and the Assam Rifles authority to pay Rs.5 lakhs as compensation to the petitioner within six months, the HRLN release informed.
In another incident, two cousin brothers namely Mutum Herojit Singh and Mutum Rajen Singh, both residents of Keishampat Mutum Leirak, Imphal were killed by Imphal East unit of Manipur Police Commandoes on October 14 in 2008 around 6.30 pm after taking them into custody, the release said while adding that Mutum Herojit was plying a Tata Sumo on the Imphal�Moreh road while Mutum Rajen Singh was running a rice hotel along with his wife.
Police alleged they were killed in an encounter at Lambui Lambi, Porompat in Imphal east district, and incriminating articles, arms and ammunition were allegedly recovered near the dead bodies, the release recalled.
Thereafter, reacting to the police allegations, Mutum ongbi Roni Devi, wife of Herojit and Mutum ongbi Ibecha Devi, wife of deceased Rajen filed writ petitions before the High Court in 2009, it said and added that the Court accordingly directed District Judge Manipur East to conduct enquiries into the circumstances leading to their deaths.
District Judge Manipur East M.Manojkumar Singh submitted the enquiry report on June 8 in 2012 saying that the two cousin brothers were killed in fake encounter, according to the HRLN release, which added that the High Court of Manipur today directed the state government to pay compensation of Rs.5 lakh each to the families of Mutum Herojit and Mutum Rajen.
The said compensations are awarded under public law domain for established infringement of fundamental rights under article 21 of Constitution of India.
It may be mentioned here that 3 Manipur Police Commando personnel namely Pukhrambam Achouba Singh, Waikhom Amarjit Singh and Ningthoujam Nungshibabu Singh, who were involved in the incident of killing Herojit and Rajen, were interestingly awarded Police Medal for gallantry in 2009, 2009 and 2013 respectively.
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