Government security for Manipur policeman involved in shootout

The Manipur government will provide security to Thounaojam Herojit, a head constable in a police commando unit who is accused of gunning down an unarmed former insurgent, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam on Thursday.

Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio, said the government would provide him security since he seemed to be apprehensive of his personal safety.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju had earlier said that security will be provided to Herojit.

Gaikhangam said the reports that Herojit, who was coming from Delhi to Imphal on Wednesday, went missing from the Imphal airport were being looked into.

He expressed the view that the CBI will unearth the truth.

On the charge by Herojit that he gunned down an unarmed former insurgent on the orders of Akoijam Jhalajit, now the superintendent of police Imphal West, Gaikhangam refused to comment, saying the matter was sub-judice.

After Herojit reportedly went missing from the airport on Wednesday, a reporter got a phone call from him saying he was safe and sound though he did not disclose his whereabouts.

Speculation is rife that Herojit was accompanied by a friend on the Delhi-Imphal flight. The friend bought a Delhi-Guwahati ticket, while Herojit bought a Delhi-Imphal one. While Herojit might have got down at Guwahati masquerading as his friend, his companion came to Imphal using Herojit's ticket.