Imphal, August 24: The ongoing Magisterial enquiry into the killing of eleven persons at Moreh on June 9 went disarray after one lady witness snatched away copies of the statements she gave during cross-examination.

Advocate Yumnam Devadutta, who appeared on behalf of six persons killed in the incident and Meitei Council Moreh (MCM) said that ADC Moreh Hopeson Chothe started taking statements at his office chamber on August 22.One woman, wife of an ex-MLA gave her statements on that day.

She was cross-examined by Devadutta after which she was asked to endorse her signature but she vehemently declined to do so.

Instead she snatched the copies containing her statements of the cross-examination and fled away.

Even as there were official staff and security personnel at the office, the woman managed to take away the papers, lamented the Counsel.

Observing that such unwanted happenings will seriously jeopardise the ongoing probe, the lawyer demanded adequate security cover at the probe centre.

Devadutta also sought personal security for the counsels in their movements beyond the enquiry centre.

In case of failure to provide adequate security, Devadutta demanded to change the enquiry venue to any place in the valley areas including Pallel and Kakching.

He maintained that he will not cooperate with the enquiry until and unless the Government fulfils his demands, even though the ADC has fixed September for next hearing.

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