Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 24:
Sub Inspector Md Riyajuddin Shah of Imphal East Commando Unit, who along with his team members were allegedly involved in the Oct 25, 2004 KR Lane firing incident which killed three Kuki students, gave his statements to the Inquiry Commission probing into the case today.
Testifying before the Commission headed by retired Judge C Upendra Singh, Riyajuddin admitted that he was the Commander of the team of Imphal East Commandos consisting of six personnel including himself who were involved in the incident.
When cross-examined by the Counsel on behalf of the victims�s families, the police officer said he attended a short training on counter insurgency operation at Pangei in 2000.In his affidavit submitted before the Commission, he maintained that while his team was conducting frisking at KR Lane area, he heard one of his constables shouting �Hey halt, don�t run�.
On looking towards that side, he saw five unknown persons attempting to flee away and he too immediately joined shouting to halt the fleeing persons.
The youths, however, first short intermittent bursts from automatic weapons upon the police party and also lobbed a hand grenade towards their position, he said.
He along with his personnel also fired towards the escaping youths.
After the firing subsided they rushed towards the spot from where the unknown youths fired and found three bullets riddled bodies, he added.
Responding to a query raised by the victims� counsel, Riyajuddin said that he came to know that the deceased youths as members of Kuki Liberation Army (KRA) but posing themselves as Kuki National Front (KNF) cadres from his own source.
He denied suggestion that the three slain youths were innocent students and that they were killed by him and his party by firing from behind.
He further denied the suggestion that the seized articles were implanted by himself and his team members so as to make it out as a case of killing in firing encounter.