File defamation suit against Herojit, if claims are false, HRI tells IW/SP

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IMPHAL, February 3: The Human Rights Initiative, HRI has observed that the Imphal West Superintendent of Police Dr Akoijam Jhalajit should file a defamation suit against Manipur Police Head Constable Thounaojam Herojit, if at all the latter’s confession on the July 23, 2009 BT Road killing is false.

The programme coordinator of HRI in a press statement said the organisation takes serious note on the confession made by Herojit through the media claiming that he shot dead militant suspect Chungkham Sanjit following orders of Ak Jhalajit.

It lauded Th Herojit for coming out with his confession even after six years of the incident which led to the people of the State erupting into an intense protest against excesses committed by security forces.

His confession has reaffirmed the widespread assertion that militant suspect Ch Sanjit was killed in a ‘fake encounter’, it said.

The statement also maintained that Herojit should get befitting punishment according to the rule of law, if his confessions are true, and at the same time judicial authority concerned should give protection to him upholding an individual’s right to life until proven guilty.

Further, it has questioned why Ak Jhalajit should not file defamation suit against Th Herojit if his confession of killing Ch Sanjit is ‘fabricated’ and ‘concocted’.

According to Th Herojit’s confessional statement published in the media, an unarmed Sanjit was killed as per the order given by Ak Jhalajit, who was then holding the post of Additional SP of Imphal (W), it said.

In the wake of the revelation given by Herojit, fresh light has been thrown into the 2009 BT Road Killing case, in order to expedite the law to take its own course, and to arrive at a logical conclusion further until, Ak Jhalajit must be suspended from any form of duty, the HRI statement demanded.

It has also demanded clarifications from Chief Minister O Ibobi, who had on the floor of the House just after the incident said “there is no option but to kill”, showing no respect to the law of the land.

It also alleged that it has become clearer that the present government set up is interested in siphoning off huge money meant for public through contract works under the protection of armed police. Various court cases against corrupt practices while recruiting police personnel in the state are evident of ‘police-politician nexus’, it maintained.

The statement has appealed to authorities concern that justice must be brought without further delay regarding the Rabina and Sanjit killing in July 2009.

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