Imphal encounter probe begins, public protests continue
The Manipur government appointed Jjudicial commission has begun investigation proceedings into the July 23 incident of alleged fake encounter in the crowded market place of Imphal that killed two persons and injured five.
ALONG WITH issuing a public notice to commence proceedings of the government appointed one-man judiciary commission into the alleged July 23 fake encounter in Imphal, retired Justice of Gauhati High Court PG Agarwal, who heads the panel and arrived here on Friday, has appealed to all parties to submit their affidavits so as to expedite early completion of the probe. Addressing a hurriedly convened press conference at Hotel Imphal soon after his arrival, Agarwal observed that the speedy conduct of the inquiry depends on the co-operation of the people in submitting their affidavits as many and as early as possible.
While the public protested against the incident, on August 1, the New Delhi-based Tehelka.com came out with a report accompanied by photographic evidence to prove that the incident was a fake encounter and Sanjit was killed by police commandos. The report was republished in all the State dailies in their August 2 edition. The revelation led to a public outrage over the incident and the government, demanding a judicial inquiry.
Taking the charged atmosphere into consideration, the government first issued an order announcing institution of a magisterial inquiry which was turned down by the people. It also suspended seven police commandos including a Sub-Inspector, but the public insisted on dismissal of all the police commandos involved in the incident, necessary action against the higher officials who tried to cover up the facts and resignation of the CM on moral grounds.
At long last, the government agreed to annul the earlier magisterial inquiry and institute a judicial inquiry. However, as no sitting or retired judges in Manipur could be prevailed upon to conduct the inquiry, the service of retired Gauhati High Court Justice PG Agarwal was roped in to head the one-man judiciary Commission.
Responding to a question on the ‘controversial’ terms of references of the inquiry, Agarwal explained that they are decided by the state government and the Commission has nothing to do in this regard. To find out the facts and circumstances leading to the incident and recommend the Government how to prevent recurrence are the prescribed terms of reference of the present case, he said. However, he quickly added, “If the state agrees to incorporate the terms of reference proposed by some civil society organisations then we can cover them’’.
Though the government’s order said that the commission report would be submitted within two months, he pointed out that the time taken for submission of the report would depend on the public's support to the probe panel.
Meanwhile, Manipur has appointed Principal Secretary PK Jha, IAS, as the commission’s secretary.
The Imphal shoot-out probe has come just a year after retired judge SP Rajkhowa conducted two judicial inquiries – the alleged massive rape of Hmar women by armed cadres of an underground outfit in Churachandpur district and the alleged sexual assault on a girl by police commandos in Thoubal district.
Notwithstanding the initiation of the probe panel, the public continued to protest to demand resignation of the CM on moral grounds, a fitting punishment for the guilty cops and unconditional release of those arrested in connection to the ongoing stir.
Even as leaders and workers of Opposition Manipur People’s Party (MPP) demonstrated against the incident at the party’s head office, women protesters staged dharnas and later set aflame effigies of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in different parts of Imphal East and Imphal West.
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