The infamous BT Road firing case of July 23, 2009 ended with all accused acquitted, as the prosecution failed to prove the photographs published in the Tehelka news magazine.
The Session Judge, Imphal East, W Tonen Singh on July 26 stated that since the prosecution has totally failed to prove the photographs contained in the Tehelka magazine published on August 8, 2009 as genuine by not producing the required certificate provided under section 65B (4) of the Indian Evidence Act which is mandatory, all the accused are acquitted in the case.
The order also stated that the photograph contains a photostat copy of the photographs that appeared in Tehelka magazine. Being photostat copies thereof, the same are not admissible under the law unless it is proved by producing primary evidence, the judge said.
The court stated that the prosecution also admitted that all the accused persons were doing their duties as Police Officers, head constables, constable and rifleman as government servants under the Home Department, that too, in the nearest area where only 500 metres away from the ongoing State Assembly session and in the Khwairamband Bazar which are thickly populated area.
Those photographs contained in the Tehelka magazine are not admissible in the eye of law and there is no other convincing oral or documentary evidence in order to show all the accused persons acted in excess while discharging their official duties on the fateful day occurred on July 23, 2009 at 10:30 am, the court added.
After about 14 years of the incident and trial before the court against accused, on July 26, the verdict acquitted all accused namely, Yumnam Munal Singh; Hijam Devendra Singh; Thounaojam Herojit Singh; Ngangom Toyaima Singh; Wahengbam Binoy Kumar Singh; Thokchom Jagat Singh; Imran Khan; Oinam Keshor Singh; Makan Kanchung Chothi.
Massive Rally Held in Imphal Against Narco-Terrorism
In a massive show of solidarity and unity, more than one hundred thousand people joined in a mass rally against “Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorism” in Imphal today, July 29, 2023.
After the rally, a public meeting was held at the Hapta Kangjeibung. The participants discussed the pressing issues being faced by Manipur in the current violent crisis.
The public meeting collectively resolved to call upon the government to hold a special assembly session before August 5, 2023 to address the Manipur crisis effectively. Additionally, they vowed to join forces in combating narco-terrorism, opposing the formation of a separate administration in Manipur, and ensuring the full implementation of the NRC in the state.
The mass rally began from THAU ground in Imphal West at about 10. The participants including prominet civil society leaders, activists, senior citizens, women, aged and young people from all walks of life and communities marched through Khoyathong, Keishamthong, Thumbuthong passing heart of Imphal city culminated at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East.
The mass rally against the “Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorism” was organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI).
The rally witnessed an overwhelming response from the mass. The ralliests carried banners and placards with messages urging to “Stop narco-terrorism in the state”, “Reject any separate administration in Manipur”, and “Wholeheartedly implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the region” etc.
The significant show of public solidarity and determination marked the shared commitment of the people of Manipur to maintain the integrity of the state and to work towards a safer and united future.
Resolutions adopted in COCOMI Mass Rally and public meeting are: 1. To end the present Conflict, foreign illegal (immigrants) Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorists must be totally exterminate; 2. No seperate administration arrangement in Manipur. No creation of State within the State (Supra State); 3. Full implementation of NRC in the state immediately; 4. To Urge the Government to convene a Special Assembly Session by August 5, 2023 and to take a resolution to save the integrity of Manipur and convey the same to Centre; and 5. A memorandum should be submitted to PM to appraise the first three resolutions
Govt Holds Separate Talks With KNO-UPF And COCOMI Leaders
The Government of India (GOI) on July 26 held talks at New Delhi with representatives of two conglomerations of Kuki militant groups – Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) – under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the government in order to defuse the ongoing crisis in the state.
However, sources said the KNO and UPF put up the demand for a separate administration with legislative powers during talks with the Government of India at the National Capital.
The demand for a separate administration of the Kuki-Zomi tribes surfaced openely with the eruption of wide-scale violence on May 3, 2023 in Churachandpur and it gained momentum.
After several rounds of informal talks in the last two and a half months amidst the violent crisis, the KNO and UPF held the first formal meeting with the Government of India on July 26, which marked the resumption of the formal political dialogue.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Special Advisor for Northeast former Special Director with the Intelligence Bureau Akshay Kumar Mishra represented the Government of India while Dr Seilen Haokip and Aaron Kipgen represented the KNO and UPF respectively.
During the meeting, the KNO and UPF reportedly urged the Centre to withdraw the clause for safeguarding the integrity of Manipur in the Suspension of Operation agreement which the Centre accepted and began talks for separate administration, reports said.
A separate round of talks was also held with representatives of the Coordinating Committee for Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) with an IB official representing the Centre.
COCOMI had on July 25 issued a statement that the government must not talk to SoO groups as they are “responsible for the ongoing violence in the state”.
Reports quoting government sources said, “It is not the right time to hold political talks. Right now the focus is to find ways to gradually tone down, if not immediately end, the violence in the state. Various ways are being discussed with the stakeholders. The Kuki demand for a separate administration is not being discussed at the moment.”
The Home Ministry is also in constant touch with Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren to find a solution on the Meitei side. Sources said it was due to Biren’s intervention that a drive by security forces to dismantle bunkers in the fringe areas of the Valley did not face too much resistance from the Meiteis. The move was also supported by COCOMI, even though Kuki groups had vehemently opposed the decision, saying they would become defenceless against marauding mobs, reports added.
Notably, a formula for political settlement with the Kuki-Zomi insurgent groups had been worked out by the end of April this year. The peace talks had settled upon the module of providing ‘territorial councils’ to the tribes of Manipur. The Kuki groups had asked that the 10 hill districts, dominated by Kuki-Zomi and Naga tribes – be divided into two territorial councils – one for the Nagas and the other for the Kuki-Zomi groups. The Biren Singh-led government had proposed that there be ten territorial councils – one for every district. The Centre had proposed a division of 2-2-1 – a proposition that was backed by the Zomi insurgent groups.
This, however, is now off the table with Meiteis opposed to it and Kukis demanding a completely separate administration, reports added.
Kuki-Zo Womenfolk Stop State Forces From Entering Moreh
A large number of womenfolk of Kuki-Zomis on July 28 stopped buses carrying security personnel at Tengnoupal from entering Moreh. The security personnel were sent to tackle the fresh clash that broke out in Moreh on July 26 burning down Meitei houses, establishments and government buildings of forest department and industry department.
Sources said around 10 buses carrying a combined team of India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Manipur Rifles (MR) personnel led by 5th Battalion IRB Commanding Officer Heisnam Balaram left Imphal for Moreh on July 28 afternoon in the wake of the fresh violence that erupted in Moreh town after AR personnel stopped Kuki women from looting the abandoned shops owned by the Meitei community.
Kuki women protesters formed a barrier in Tengnoupal using boulders to prevent entry of the buses carrying personnel of combined State Forces. Later, the buses carrying security personnel were forced to harbour at Tengnoupal District Police Head Quarter and Assam Rifles Camp at Tengnoupal.
Meanwhile, special commando teams are being continuously airlifted to Moreh via helicopters to control the situation. Teams of special commando personnel were airlifted from Imphal to Moreh town for the fourth time on July 28, sources said.
Violence Victims Demand More State Forces in Moreh, Ccpur
Over 4,000 violence victims belonging to the Meitei community, who were displaced from Moreh in Tengnoupal district and Churachandpur district, staged a sit-in-protest on July 27 at Wangjing-Heirok Lamkhai in Thoubal district, demanding additional state forces in Moreh and protection of lives in Moreh and Churachandpur.
The protest comes in the wake of the burning of about 30 abandoned houses of the Meiteis in Moreh by a mob and suspected Kuki militants on July 26.
The protesters held placards that read, “Enforce More State Forces at Moreh”, “We want State Force Duty at Moreh”, “Awake State and Central Administration” etc., were displayed during the protest.
Accused in Lucy Maring Murder Jailed
An accused involved in the Lucy Maring murder case has been sent to Sajiwa jail after a remand was given by CJM Imphal East Judicial on July 25.
The accused was identified as 38-year-old Okram Samungou Meitei, son of late Okram Ibocha of Keibi Heikak Mapal. The two others arrested along with him are being further remanded for arms loot case.
The other two accused are 43-year-old Konsam Naocha aka Lanmeithanbi of Huidrom Mayai Leikai and 27-year-old Ongnam Suraj Meitei of Keibi.
K Naocha is being remanded till July 28 for looting arms from Sagolmang Police Station and Heingang police station made a formal arrest on O Suraj on July 25 and is being remanded till July 28 for looting arms from 7th Battalion of Manipur Rifles.
It may be mentioned that Sagolmang Police station made a formal arrest of the three miscreants who were involved in the Lucy Maring murder case on July 21.
Arson Breaks Out Again In Moreh; Protests Held
Gunfight and arson engrossed the border town of Moreh, Tengnoupal district again on July 26 morning after a scuffle between an irate mob and personnel of Assam Rifles reportedly broke out when the they tried to stop several Kuki women from looting the abandoned shops owned by the Meitei community.
As a result of the scuffle, a gunfight unfolded between suspected Kuki militants and a combined team of central paramilitary and state security forces stationed at the border town. The militants allegedly torched several abandoned Meitei houses and shops in which several shops owned by Tamils, Biharis, Rajasthanis and Bengalis were also damaged, reports said.
In response to the incident at Moreh, displaced people staying at Akampat relief center, Imphal East demonstrated a protest at Singjamei Bridge on July 26. Displaced people mainly from Moreh, Churachandpur and other places are staying at the said relief centre opened at Akampat Relief Centre, Imphal East.
The displaced people marched from Akampat relief centre to meet Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren but were blocked by the police at Singjamei Bridge. However, four representatives from the group were allowed to meet the chief minister.
The protester held the rally under the banner “Protest rally against Narco refugee Kuki militants” and raise slogans such as ‘No Separate Administration in Manipur’, ‘We want to return to Churachandpur and Moreh’, ‘Go back Kuki refugees, Go back Assam Rifles’, ‘We condemn central forces for allowing to burn Meitei houses at Moreh’ among others.
One of the victims staying at the relief camp told the media that “we want to return back to our houses but how can we return without proper security. Amid the crisis, Kuki militants are frequently attacking at different places,” and questioned what is the reason for deploying a large number of central forces if they cannot stop the attacks, reports added.
Govt Asks AR to Push Back 718 Fresh Myanmar Immigrants
Manipur Government on July 24 asked Assam Rifles authorities to push back a total of 718 Myanmar nationals, including 301 children, who illegally entered Manipur on July 22 and 23.
According to a release issued by state Home department, 718 fresh refugees crossed Indo-Myanmar border and entered in the general area of New Laijang of Chandel district as on July 23 due to the ongoing clashes at Khampat opposite Border Pillar 58.
The Myanmar illegals are presently staying at Laijang, Bonse, New Somtal, New Laijang, Yangnomphai, Yangnomphai Saw Mill and Alvomjang. The group included 208 women, the release added.
The state government had previously informed the border guarding force Assam Rifles to take strict action to prevent entry of Myanmar nationals into Manipur on any ground without valid visa or travel documents as per the instruction of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The state government views the fresh illegal entry of 718 refugees very seriously with utmost sensitivity as the same may have international ramifications more particularly in view of the ongoing law and order issues, the release said.
The State Government also asked Assam Rifles authorities to clarify on the facts and compelling circumstances as to why and how these 718 Myanmar nationals were allowed to enter into India in Chandel district without proper travel documents along with strict advice to push back those Myanmar nationals immediately.
The letter further asked the DC and SP of Chandel district to oversee the implementation of the state government directive and also keep biometrics and photographs of all such persons.
Governor Assures MPCC Assembly Session
Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey has assured state CLP leader Okram Ibobi that she will ask the state government to hold a state cabinet meeting in order to summon a special Manipur Legislative Assembly session.
Ibobi told the media in Imphal on July 26 after five Opposition MLAs submitted a memorandum to the governor demanding to convene an emergency session of Manipur Legislative Assembly on the ongoing unprecedented violent crisis in the state.
The opposition MLAs included Keisham Meghachandra, Okram Ibobi, Okram Surjakumar, Kangujam Ranjit and Thokchom Lokeshwar.
The memorandum stated that the Manipur Legislative Assembly is the most appropriate forum to discuss and debate the ongoing turmoil for which suggestions of measures to restore normalcy can be tabled and discussed. However, despite many different sections of society and people of the state have demanded for an emergency session in the House on the crisis, the incumbent state Cabinet, headed by chief minister, had not accepted any request or demand to call for the emergency session to discuss the matter.
It further urged the Governor to summon an emergency session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to discuss the ongoing turmoil in the state in the best interest of the people of Manipur to restore normalcy in the state at the earliest.
CLP leader O Ibobi told the media that the state is still burning and to discuss the matter is highly necessary through a special session of Manipur Legislative Assembly.
10 Political Parties Demand Assembly Session
Besides the opposition Manipur Congress demands a Special Session of Manipur Legislative Assembly on the current violent crisis in Manipur, representatives of 10 political parties met the Governor on July 26 and requested her to convene a special session of Manipur Legislative Assembly to discuss the ongoing crisis and explore the ways and means to solve the issue through a peaceful and amicable dialogue.
