Imphal, October 27 2009: Apart from directing police authorities to issue warrants of arrest against two persons for the latter duo's failure to appear before the Justice Agarwal Commission of Inquiry, the probe panel has also instructed the police to serve summon to proprietor of Maimu Pharmacy in connection with the ongoing investigation into the July 23 firing incident at BT road.

The incident had claimed a pregnant woman namely Th Rabina Devi and a former militant Ch Sanjit apart from five persons sustaining injuries.

at the end of the public hearing today, the Inquiry Commission noted absence of two persons namely Pangabam Lukhoi Singh and N Keshorani Devi, who were injured in the said incident, before the probe panel inspite of prior notices served to both to appear today.

Perusing through reports filed by the police with regard to notices served to four witnesses who sustained injuries in the BT Road firing, the Commission approved appeal of one of the witnesses namely W Gitarani Devi for more time to file her written statement.

Considering the appeal that Gitarani is still bed-ridden owing to the injury she had sustained, the Commission issued a directive that she may file an affidavit stating about her knowledge of the incident and as to how she sustained injury.

A copy of the medical report has been filed by her and further medical evidence, if any, may be submitted, the Commission decreed with the condition that in case Gitarani needs any legal help for filing the affidavit, the Commission's Advocate Th Modhu Singh's service may be sought.

With the second witness namely Golmei Mangal reported to be currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS, New delhi, the Commission directed that fresh summon be issued to Golmei at the end of the third sitting of the Commission today.

However, failure of P Lukhoi and N Keshorani Devi to appear before the probe panel as directed earlier was strongly noted by the Commission who decreed that to obtain procurement of their presence warrant of arrest with bail of Rs 500 each be served against them through police authorities.

Besides examining affidavit filed by the Police Department (respondent), the panel instructed the police to issue summon to proprietor of Maimu Pharmacy, where Ch Sanjit was gunned down, to appear before the probe panel along with pharmacist and other employees, if any, on the next date of hearing.

Explanations submitted by SPs of Imphal East and West districts also came in for severe criticism from the Commission who described as 'unsatisfactory' failure on the part of both to furnish service report.

Service report is said to be compilation of records of correspondence relating to directives of the Commission to issue summons, and documentary evidence that police are required to maintain with regard to whether or not the summon notices had been accepted by the witnesses concerned.

Notwithstanding its anguish on laxity of the police authorities, the probe panel desired that such errant should not be repeated in the future.

The Commission fixed November 11 for the next sitting at 10.30 am at the conference Hall of Hotel Imphal.

Moreover, it directed that service report of the police should be filed before November 10 .

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