Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 26 2009:
The Justice Agarwal Commission which is investigating the July 23 Khwairamband Bazar firing incident has issued summons to two reporters of the New Delhi based news magazine, Tehelka, for recording their statements even as a team of Manipur Police have been reportedly send for examining two other repor ers of the news magazine.
In the hearing of the Commission at Hotel Imphal here today, the statements of two witnesses have been recovered and issued summons to Teresa Rahman and Soma Chowdhury, two reporters of Tehelka, to appear before the Commission in the next hearing.
The summon notices have been served through Taru J Tejpal, the editor of the news magazine.
December 16 has been fixed for the next hearing.
In today's hearing, the Commission recorded the statements of Pangabam Lukhoi of Heingang Makha Leikai, a personnel of 3 Assam Rifles, who sustained bullet injuries in the July 23 incident.
In his statement, Lukhoi said that on that fateful day, driving a motorcycle he had gone along with one of his friends identified as Md Nizamuddin to submit a paper to SP, CID (SB) and he was planning to go to SBI on the way back.
He dropped his friend at Samumakhong and was coming towards SBI when he saw Th James, a colleague in the same service coming along with another Rifleman.
So he pulled over his motorcycle some distance away to the east of the Sulabh located on the northern side of the flyover and waited for them when he heard the sound similar to that of AK bursts.
Hearing the sound of gun shots, he was preparing to duck himself when he realised a bullet has hit on the left side of his chest.
After some people put him inside a van, he lost consciousness and when he regained consciousness, he was in ICU of RIMS.
After undergoing treatment in RIMS for 15 days, he was shifted to the Military Hospital at Leimakhong.
From there, he was again taken for further treatment at another military hospital at Kolkata.
His injury is yet to be healed.
The Commission also recorded the statement of another witness identified as Takhellambam Ranbir Singh (41) of Kongba Standard College.
He is the owner of Social Times Emporium located just adjacent to Maimu Pharmacy.
In his statement, Ranbir said that on that day he opened his shop at 9.30 am.
At around 10.30 am, people were seen running helter and skelter towards TB Road on hearing sudden sound of gun shots.
He also ducked under the counter of his shop and heard some people coming inside the common room.
After a while, he heard some people banging the door to find out whether anybody was inside.
He also heard sound of gun shots.
When he came out at the command of the police, he saw body clad in black shirt lying in the godown of his shop.
After the police picked up the body and left, he also shut down his shop and returned home.
The Commission has issued fresh summons to Golmei Mangal Rongmei, who also sustained injuries in the incident, and Rifleman Th James for appearance before the Commission on the next hearing.
It is said that on the day of the next hearing, local inspection/verification of the site of the incident would also be carried out.
Meanwhile, in accordance to the FIR case taken up by the City Police following the petition filed in the court by mother of Chungkham Sanjit, who was killed in the incident, a team of Imphal West District Police has left for New Delhi to examine the two reporters of Tehelka, a reliable source disclosed.