Fresh probe into ex-insurgent's killing in Manipur sought

The mother of Chungkham Sanjit, a former insurgent who was allegedly shot dead in a fake gunfight on the directions of a top police officer, has demanded a fresh CBI probe into the killing, family sources said on Friday.

Chungkham Taratombi on late Thursday filed a fresh petition to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the light of Head Constable Thounaojam Herojit's revelation that he shot dead an unarmed Sanjit in 2009.

"My son had gone to the town on the fateful day to buy medicine for his ailing father. However, after some hours, I was told that he was killed in an encounter," said Taratombi.

Sanjit, who had given up militancy, was allegedly trapped inside a chemist's shop on B.T. Road in Imphal, and a few minutes later his body was dragged out by security personnel on July 23, 2009.

Police had produced one hand gun they said to have been recovered from Sanjit.

Sources said that on the basis of assurance by union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, the CBI indicated that it would take a relook at the case.

However, the officials whose names were disclosed in the confessional statement are yet to be questioned.

Akoijam Jhalajit, the Imphal West district police superintendent, who allegedly gave the orders to kill Sanjit clarified that the allegations against him were "concocted, motivated and baseless".