AR to probe controversial Khurkhul death
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 26 2011: A Khurkhul resident, reportedly picked up by some personnel of 30 Assam Rifles stationed at the erstwhile Manipur Spinning Mill, Loitang Khunou has passed away under contrasting claims.

The Assam Rifles spokesperson informed that there was a group clash earlier and he sustained serious injuries in the clash and succumbed to his injuries later.

To get to the bottom of the matter, the IGAR (S) has constituted an inquiry and it will be conducted at the level of the AR DG, he said.

However on the other hand, holding the AR unit responsible for the death of Heikham Nando (35) s/o Manglemjao of Khurkhul Makha Leikai, a public meeting held this evening culminated with the constitution of a JAC, besides resolving that body of the deceased would not be claimed until and unless a Magisterial enquiry is instituted, ex-gratia paid to the next of kin of the deceased and the AR unit shifted from its present location.

Prior to adopting the resolutions, 9 Sector Commander Brig Navneet Singh reportedly assured the gathering that all relevant measures would be initiated in connection with the custodial death of H Nando, while describing the incident as 'unfortunate' .

The Brigadier also clarified that Nando was picked up from a meeting place held earlier today for questioning based on various complaints from the Khurkhul locals, informed Khurkhul Gram Panchayat (No-11) Member Phuritsabam Tombi Devi.

Recounting events leading to the incident, she said a public meeting was held on November 25 at Khurkhul Makha Leikai community hall, under Sekmai police station of Imphal West district, under the joint aegis of the Gram Panchayat and Khurkhul Apunba Nupi Chaokhat Lup.

The said meeting was convened to deliberate on alleged harassment of some Khurkhul locals who were witnesses to borrowing of money by Nando's wife namely Chandbi from some money-lending agencies.

Tombi maintained that the money-lending agencies started to exert pressure on the witnesses that the money borrowed by Chandbi would be recovered from them as the husband-wife duo could not be traced.

Dhanabati, one of the witnesses, contended that she was threatened on phone by Chandbi, who was furious with her for making public her misdeeds.

Consequent to complaints of the witnesses the meeting was called which was also attended by H Nando accompanied by his father and mother while Chandbi was conspicuously absent.

As a compromise was reached at the meeting and the gathering started to dissipate, a team of 30 AR arrived at the spot and picked up Nando with the assurance that it was only for a few questioning.

With the locals' expectation that Nando will be released not materialising till the next morning some village representatives entered the AR post at around 6.30 am today wherein they were told by a Major that nando would be freed at 11 o'clock.

However, the anxiously waiting villagers were told at around 12.30 pm that Nando has been taken to the sekmai community health centre for treatment, Tombi continued who added that the locals came to know of Nando's demise through some workers of Sekmai AC MLA Dr H Borajao.

Agitated upon hearing that Nando is more which the locals assumed as a case of custodial death, an emergency meeting was convened at which the 9 Sector Commander Brig Navneet Kumar showed up apparently to mollify the Khurkhul public with the assurance that all possible measures would be initiated in connection with the death, the GP Member conveyed.

The Brigadier is also informed to have apologised to the locals for the undesired incident.

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