Imphal, February 01 2010: In an observation that may act as an embarrassment to the Government of Manipur, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stated that there are reports of 111 cases of fake encounter killings by the police in Manipur, and has sought explainations from the government why it had failed to forward reports about the cases to the Commisison.

Along with the observation, the NHRC directed the state government to pay a sum of Rs 5 lakh as monetary relief to the next of kin of Late RK Sanajaoba, who was shot dead by a police constable on duty of escort for the lady Officer in-Charge of Patsoi Police Station, Joyce Lalrimmiwi, on October 20, 2004 at Sagolband Khongnang Hogaibi in Imphal West district.

The Late RK Sanajaoba was a nephew of former Late Chief Minister of Manipur, RK Joychandra.

In a letter sent to the Chief Secretary of Government of Manipur on January 28, 2010, Deputy Registrar (Law), NHRC, Sunil Arora directed him to send proof of payment within a period of six weeks.

A compliance report with proof of payment should be sent to the Commission by February 26 for further consideration, the NHRC directed the Chief Secretary.

The NHRC took up the case following a complaint lodged by Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights, Janakpuri, New Delhi, Suhas Chakma against the murder of RK Sanajaoba, son of RK Naba Chandra of Sagolband by four Manipur police personnel at about 10.30 am of October 20, 2004.The complaint was filed on October 21, 2004 .

The directive and observation of the NHRC stated that the matter was considered by the Commission on 20.01.2010 when it inter-alia observed and directed as under "Asian Centre for Human Rights vide letter dated 21st October, 2004, forwarded a complaint, inter alia, alleging that one R.K.Sanjaoba, son of RK Naba Chandra was killed by police personnel of Patsoi in Imphal at 10.30 am on 20th October, 2004 at Sagolband Khongnang Hogaibi, Imphal.

The directive further said that "In this case, there is no report made by the State of Manipur about the death caused by the police.

In fact, from the State of Manipur this Commission is not receiving any reports.

According to the report 111 cases have been reported as police encounter cases.

Therefore, Chief Secretary, State of Manipur shall explain as to why the reports are not being forwarded to the National Human Rights Commission.

For this information, the Registry is directed to annexe a copy of the letter issued in this behalf to all the State Governments" .

"In the instant case, the police has put up a theory that it is a case of accidental firing and the person sustained injuries as a consequence of which he died.

The deceased and one other person were returning home on their scooter which was stopped on the way by some unknown police personnel of Manipur Police which was headed by a lady police officer.

In the scuffle which took place, one of the policemen took out the weapon and shot him on his chest from point blank range as a result of which he died on the spot" .

"It is suggested that during the course of investigation which revealed that the person spoke some slang language as a result of which the escorts got down from the vehicle.

The same unknown person forcibly snatched the fiber stick from the escort and started beating the police personnel including the complainant and the unknown person alleged to have embraced the complainant and tried to snatch his service pistol.

In the scuffle some rounds were accidentally fired which hit the person and he died on the spot.

The police has registered a case and charge-sheet is alsofiled.

The theory propounded by the police is hard to believe.

For some utterances no police will come down and enter into a scuffle with the persons moving on the road.

It is also required to be noted that in the post-mortem report, the expert has opined that the injury was caused from a distant range, and, if it would have been fired in the manner in which it is narrated then there would have been blackening and tattooing.

The doctor's opinion is an independent opinion and cannot be disregarded.

The map which is produced on the record also suggests that the incident has not taken place on the road itself but just near a shop on a place like pavement.

It is not suggested that during the course of scuffle persons moved from one place to another place.

It is also hard to believe that three police personnel could not control one person who was without any weapon in his hands and it appears from the aforesaid picture that a story is created as if crime is not committedand is an accidental fire.

No reliance can be placed on such theory.

It is a case of killing of a person who was totally innocent.

In this case, a show-cause notice was issued to the State Government, followed by a reminder and there was no response.

The Commission presumes that the State has nothing to say in the matter," the directive said.

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