Extra-judicial Killings::: AR seeks more time to submit affidavits
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 03 2013 : The three-member independent Inquiry Commission appointed by the Supreme Court of India with retired Supreme Court Justice N Santosh Hegde as Chairman has started its inquiry proceedings into 6 different cases of extra-judicial killings that took place in Manipur from today at the Classic Regency (conference hall) on 4th floor of Classic Hotel here.

On the first day, seven affidavits from the side of the victim families and 8 affidavits from independent witnesses were submitted before the probe panel.

Altogether 33 counter-affidavits were also submitted to the Commission from the side of the Manipur Police, but not a single affidavit from the side of Assam Rifles was submitted to the Commission till 5 pm today.

The affidavits submitted by the families of the seven victims who were killed by security forces in six different cases of alleged extra-judicial killings in the State were crossed examined by Manipur Police and the Assam Rifles.

Extra-judicial Killings::: AR seeks more time to submit affidavits

Senior advocate Dilipkumar Das, who is representing Manipur Police, examined the affidavits and he was aided by advocate N Jotindro while senior advocate PN Chowdhury, who represented Assam Rifles, was aided by advocate Nitin Kher.

The statements of the alleged extra-judicial killing cases which were placed and recorded at the Commission today are that of Kh Orsonjit (19) of Sega Road Konjeng Hazari Leikai who was killed by Manipur Police Commandos in 2010; Ch Umakanta (24) of Iroishemba Mamang Leikai who was killed in May 2009; N Govind alias Dhopa (25) and N Nobo of Bashikhong Mamang Leikai who were killed in April 2009; E Kiranjit (22) of Thoubal Haokha who was killed in April 2009; and Md Azad Khan (14) of Phoubakchao Makha Leikai who was killed in March 2009 .

The enquiry proceeding which started off at 9 am today continued till 6:30 pm.

Advocate Mukul Sinha, who was the counsel of the victim's family in a similar extra-judicial killing that took place in Gujarat that ultimately led to the arrest and punishment of a guilty IPS officer, was also present as the counsel of the victim families in the proceedings today and he was aided by various renowned advocates of the State.

The statements of the witnesses who submitted their affidavits today would be heard tomorrow in the morning session.

This would be followed by cross-examination of the statements by the Manipur Police and Assam Rifles, while the statements of the Manipur police personnel would be crossed examined by the victim families in the evening session of the enquiry to be conducted tomorrow.

Since a number of AR personnel, who were alleged involved in the said six extra-judicial killings have been posted in different parts of the country, the counsels appearing on behalf of the Assam Rifles requested the Commission to grant some more time to submit their affidavits.