Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured government action in the 2009 Manipur fake encounter case, according to a report by CNN-IBN. Jitendra Singh, minister of state from the Prime Minister’s Office, has also said that he will speak to the home ministry about the issue.
One of the nine police officers suspended due to the case, Thounaojam Herojit Singh, has said that the encounter was carried out on orders from superior officers.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also spoken about reopening the case “if the facts are right”.
Minister of State of Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju has said that the state police will provide protection to Herojit Singh if the confession is found to be true. He also said that the “government will take cognizance of the situation”.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Centre has sought a report on the fake encounter from the state government.
Herojit Singh spoke to the media that the orders were given by one of his senior, Akoijam Jhalajit Singh, who was then Additional Superintendent of Police, Imphal West. Jhalajit Singh is now SP of Imphal West.
Also read: Shot Unarmed Sanjit on Orders of Superior, Imphal Constable Admits
Congress leader RPN Singh, in an interview to CNN-IBN, questioned the reason behind Herojit Singh’s confession after 7 years of the incident. He has, however, said that the “guilty won’t be protected”.
Herojit Singh told The Indian Express he is scared for his life as he was questioned by the commandos form the West Imphal police station while on his way back from a court hearing.
Thounaojam Herojit Singh, Suspended Head Constable, Imphal Police to The Indian ExpressThey took me to my own PS, the Imphal West police station, and kept me there for five to six hours. They kept asking me about my movements and what I had been doing. I am no longer safe. I am scared for my life. I no longer have faith in the system.
Jhalajit Singh, according to Herojit, assured him that the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police as well knew about the encounter.
The Indian National Congress’ Okram Ibobi Singh was the chief minister if Manipur and continues to hold office in 2016.
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