Tehelka's reporters fail to appear, Comm summons again
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 16 2009: Tahelka's Teresa Rehman and Soma Chowdury failed to appear before the Justice Agarwal Commission of Inquiry, which is conducting inquiry into the facts and circumstances resulting to the July 23 firing incident in which life of two, former militant Ch Sanjit and young housewife Th Rabina claim.

The two staffs of the Tehelka weakly magazine published in New Delhi were summoned by the Commission to depose on the incident that the magazine claimed as "fake encounter" by publishing series of photographs moments before shooting Sanjit to death by police commandos and after the killing on July 23 at Kwairamband bazar.

Justice PG Agarwal visiting pharmacy at bazar where Sanjit was shot dead by police commandos

The hearing of the judicial inquiry into the incident instituted by the state government had summoned the writers of the articles before the commission as witness of the inquiry in its last hearing.

Minute before today's hearing a letter from the Editor of the Tahelka, Tarun Tejpal giving accounts of unable to appear before the commission was received by the commission.

"...that the two witnesses, Teressa Rehaman and Miss Soma Chaudury are ready and willing to cooperate with the Commission.

However, they apprehend arrest/harassment by the police.

It is also indicated that the expenses for the two witnesses for travel are to be tendered in advance," the intimation of the Tarun Tezpal stated.

The letter was read out during the hearing.

However, after examining thoroughly to the letter of the editor of Tahelka, the commission ordered summon of the two them again to appear in the next hearing which later announced to conduct on January 4 next year.

Observing that the two witnesses need protection, the commission asked the state police to provide necessary protection and make clear that there is no question of their arrest for their attendance before the Commission.

The commission also ruled that the expenses for their travel, boarding and lodging shall be paid to the witnesses on their appearance.

The two witnesses should also bring two copies of the journal and photographs published in their magazine about the incident and place before the commission.

Before the hearing, the One-Man Inquiry Commission also conducted spot verification of the place of occurrence in the presence of the Counsel of both sides.

The two shops Maimu Pharmacy and Social time Emporium were visited.

In the hearing one witness Thiyam James, a rifleman of the Assam Rifles who was with his injure colleague in the July 23 shooting incident deposed before the commission.

At the concluding part of the hearing, the commission ordered Imphal West District, SP to issue summon to Golmei Mangal Rongmei who was among the injure victims but failed to appear in the commission despite repeated summon.

He is currently treating at AIIMS, New Delhi.

Two other persons, proprietors of the Sanapukei Restaurant located just next to the Watch Repairing shops, BT road where former rebel, Sanjit's dead body recovered, Babulal Saini and Kaluram Saini were also summoned on the next hearing.