Imphal, October 03 2010: While commending sleuths of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for expeditiously completing probe into the July 23 (2009) firing incident at Khwairamband Keithel, the Apunba Lup has expressed remorse that inspite of chargesheets filed by the CBI the State Government is found lacking in initiating exemplary punishment of the guilty police personnel.

A statement issued by the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup described the CBI probe findings and subsequent chargesheet, against nine police commandos in connection with the firing, as a historic chapter in Manipur where extra-judicial killings and elimination by security force personnel in stage managed encounter is rampant.

Conceding that the Lup was not impressed when service of the CBI was roped in to investigation into the firing during which two persons were killed and five others suffered serious injuries, the release however expressed elation that CBI has proved its mettle for which the people is certain to feel gratified.

opining that evidences provided by Tehelka news magazine and publication of the captured images by numerous State dailies might have sealed all escape route of the guilty commando personnel, the Lup wondered why there is still no State Prosecution Sanction.

Conveying that as soon as chargesheet is filed there is no need for delaying prosecution sanction, the conglomerate body also suspected commitment and sincerity of the SPF Government in delivering justice to the people.

Noting that even after filing the chargesheet, the accused commando personnel have been released which is in sharp contradiction from relevant norms that the accused should be imprisoned as undertrial prisoners, the Lup expressed whether such laxity on the part of the Government is a testimony that the masses are at the mercy of security force personnel.

The body also urged the judiciary to take up relevant measures at the earliest so that trauma of the bereaved families is lessened.

Reminding Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh that he had pledged prompt deliverance of justice as per process of the law and calling upon the CM, who also holds the Home portfolio, to translate his commitment into action, the Lup said it would keep close tap on the development and resort to all possible measures to ensure that the guilty are punished.

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