Court deadline on reports of murder of Kishan, Token, Rajen
CBI seeks more time, 'no prima fracie evidence against DC'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 05 2009: Acting on the Court directive, SP of Ukhrul District today submitted the status report of the investigation into the abduction and subsequent brutal murder of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Thingnam Kishan and his two sub-ordinate Y Token and A Rajen by armed cadres of NSCN (I-M).

The Court on April 1 had directed the authority concerned to submit the status of the investigation conducted into the incident within four weeks.

Today was the last date of submitting the status report.

Crying for justice : A picture of Dr Kishan throwing his protective arms around Token and Rajen

Although Senapati Police had also conducted an investigation into the same incident after registering a case ( FIR case no.3 (2) 09/u/s 302/400 IPC of Senapati Police Station dated 17.2.2009), no status report of the investigation has been submitted to the court till today.

As for the status report of the investigation taken up by the CBI, whose services was roped in by the State Government, three weeks time has been sought from the Court.

In the status report of the investigation conducted by Ukhrul police station under the FIR case no.8(2) 09, UKL, PS u/s 365/368/34 IPC dated 16.2.2009 which was furnished to the court today, the SP of Ukhrul district stated that on receipt of the information about the missing of Kasom Khullen SDO and his staff a regular FIR case had been registered suo moto for investigation.

In the course of investigation five co-accused persons were arrested and two vehicles involved in the case were also seized.

Out of the eight arrested accused persons, four have been remanded in the judicial custody.

Further the official vehicle allotted to Kasom Khullen SDO that went missing has also been retrieved, the status report said.

Informing that as many as 28 witnesses have been examined and their statements recorded u/s 161 CRPC, the report concluded that the involvement of NSCN (I-M) cadres in the case has been well-established from the statements of the witnesses.

Hectic efforts have been made the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case to effect the arrest of the main culprits involved in the commission of the crime by conducting raids in various places.

There was no inaction on the part of the law enforcing agencies in the aftermath of the abduction and the gruesome and brutal killing of three innocent civilians by NSCN (IM) as alleged, the report contended.

Furthermore, the report pointed out that in pursuance of the Government of Manipur, Home Department order vide no.2/8 (92)/ 2009-H/01 dated 19/2/2009, the case of FIR no.8 (2) 09 UKL-PS u/s 365/368/ 34/ 120-B/212 IPC 19/20 UA (P) A Act & 25 (1-C) A Act had been handed over to the SP/CBI Lamphelpat on April 4 after observing necessary formalities.

The investigation so far reveals the involvement of NSCN (IM) cadres in the commission of the crime relating to abduction and killing Kasom Khullen SDO of Dr Thingnam Kishan and his two sub-ordinate staff.

On alleged involvement of now suspended Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul Pankaj Kumar Pal in the crime, the furnished report maintained that at this stage of investigation prima facie evidence against Pankaj Kumar Pal for his involvement in the present case is not yet established.

However, it added that efforts have been made by the Investigating Officer to examine Pankaj Kumar Pal but he could not be found.

No formal complaint was lodged in connection with the abduction of Kasom Khullen SDO and his two staff.

However, based on reliable information an FIR was registered at Ukhrul Police Station on suo moto for investigation, the report said, adding that the investigation so far reveals that SDO-Kasom Khullen and his staff were abducted at Naga Gate, Hundung and not at the premise of DC-Ukhrul office.