Dimapur, May 14 2009: The NSCN-IM has completed investigation into the murder case of Kasom Khullen Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Dr Thingnam Kisan and two others and found 'colonel' Hopeson Ningshen of the NSCN-IM guilty of the crime.

'General Court Martial (GCM) of the Naga Army GHQ' of the NSCN-IM has pronounced that 'colonel' Hopeson Ningshen will undergo rigorous imprisonment for 7 years, counting from his arrest, in the outfit's jail.

"That, as per the Naga Army Act of Rules and Regulation (NAARR) 2002 Lt.Colonel Hopeson Ningshen bearing Army No.ST-28014, former Commanding Officer of Kiusumong battalion has been convicted guilty of abduction, illegal detention and eventual murder of Dr.Kishan and his two associates Aribam Rajen and Y Token on 17th February 2009 under Article 70 Clause 3, Sub Clause V Article 76 Clause ii of NAARR.

Therefore, the GCM is satisfied to terminate Lt.Colonel Hopeson Ningshen with immediate effect from the service of the Naga Army.

The GCM is also pleased to dismiss all his services rendered to the Nation.

All military decoration as well as ranks awarded to him has been stripped off.

He is also to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven (7) years counting from the day he has been arrested.

He is also to pay a fine of Rs.50,000 to the GPRN.

In default of which he shall undergo simple imprisonment for another one year six months".

The NSCN-IM while explaining procedure of the outfit in the investigation said, "General Court Martial (GCM) of the Naga Army has sat several times and has heard thoroughly the case of murder of Dr.Kishan and his driver Aribam Rajen and an official Y Token on 17th of February 2009 near Senapati by Lt.Colonel Hopeson Ningshen, the then Commanding Officer of the Kiusumong Battalion Naga Army posted in Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR)".

The NSCN-IM also said that the GCM discovered that the murder was committed not without provocation.

"The arrogance added with reckless corruption of Dr.Kishan, the SDO of Kasom Block has not only shocked the people of the area but it has also infuriated all the people including Lt.Colonel Hopeson Ningshen who is also from the same area.

Repeated warning against running his office at Imphal went unheeded and the deceased did remain impenitent about his corruption inspite of public outcry," the outfit alleged.

The NSCN-IM also said that the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul Pankaj Kumar Pal who has "a long standing and violent ego clash with his SDO" is seen to have exploited the situation leading to the ultimate murder of the latter.

"Circumstancial evidences have convicted the Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pal as master mind of the murder of Dr.Kishan and his two staff.

However, the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who is also the Home Minister and Works Minister Ranjit Singh, who visited Kasom Khullen the next day of abduction of Dr.Kishan and staff have a share of responsibility in the death of the victims," the NSCN-IM further alleged while adding, "they must therefore be prosecuted as required by law.

Since Lt.Col.Hopeson Ningshen claimed responsibility for the murder as sole perpetrator of the crime the GCM is satisfied to award the penalty to Lt.Colonel Hopeson Ningshen".

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