Tehelka ignores summon order
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 16 2009: Two reporters of news magazine Tehelka who were summoned by the Justuce PG Agarwal Commission to give their statement in connection with the July 23 BT Road incident did not appear before the Commission today.

On the other hand, Justice PG Agarwal conducted a spot inquiry at BT Road today, the site of the incident.

The two reporters of Tehelka were summoned by the Commission to give their statement at 10.30 am today and the message was intimated to the Editor-in-chief of the news magazine, Tarun J Tejpal.

The news magazine however did not respond to the summon.

Justice Agarwal conducting a spot assessment at BT Road

Following the failure of the two reporters, another summon will be on them to appear before the Commission on January 4, through the police.

During today's hearing, colleague of P Lukhoi, who was injured in the incident, Thiyam James, an Assam Rifles personnel from Wangoi Thoudam Leikai gave his statement to the Commission.

As per his statement, James said that he had come from Churachandpur to return home on the said day and went to the fruit stalls at Dharamshala.

After buying some mangoes, he proceeded to BT Road through the Family Welfare line and was walking on the southern side towards the west, when he heard his name begin called out.

While he was acknowledging the call, coming from Lukhoi, he heard reports of gun fire, said James and added that he ducked for cover.

James said that he did not see who opened the fire and added that after helping Lukhoi to reach RIMS in a van, he returned home.

Golmei Mangal, who was also among the injured persons in the incident could not appear before the Commission today to give his statement as he is at AIIMS undergoing treatment.

After recording the statements, Justice PG Agarwal inspected the spots where Th Rabin and Ch Sanjit were killed.

After conducting the spot inquiry as well as studying the photographs published in Tehelka, Justice Agarwal asked the owner of Sanapukei restaurant, located at the ground floor of Gambhir Singh Arcade, near Maimu pharmacy to come before the Commission on January 4 .

Justice Agarwal also questioned the salesmen Social Time Emporium, in whose godown, Sanjit was reportedly shot dead as well as the owner of Maimu pharmacy.