NHRC recommends Rs 5 lakh in an encounter case in Manipur

National Human Rights Commission has recommended that Manipur Government to pay Rs 5 lakh as monetary relief to the next of kin of Sorokhiabam Jibon Singh, who was killed in an encounter in Imphal West District of neighbouring state in July 2009.
A NHRC release today said the police exceeded the right of defence and gave eight weeks time for compliance report and proof of payment.
It observed that "in the facts and circumstances of the case, even assuming that there was an encounter as claimed by police, there could be no justification for such excessive use of force."
On consideration of material on record received from the state government in response to its notices since 2010, the Commission observed "From the perusal of magisterial enquiry report, it is clear that inquiry officer had not associated family members of the deceased with the enquiry. Thus, the enquiry report did not inspire confidence".

From the perusal of the post-mortem examination report, there were ten entrance wounds on the inter-costal region and abdomen and ten exit wounds on the backside of the body, the release said.
"Apart from it, there were firearm injuries on the right forearm and axilla. The injuries sustained by the deceased were not only fatal but also large in number indicating that police used excessive force during the encounter," the NHRC asserted.

The police had claimed that on receiving information that some hardcore members of KCP(MC) were loitering to commit prejudicial activities like kidnapping of government officials for ransom, a combined team was constituted, the release said.

At about 9.10 pm on the July 1, 2009, while patrolling from Chajing village side, two youths were found moving on foot at Narankonjin Chingjen in a suspicious manner.
They were asked to stop, but they opened fire, which was retaliated. One unknown armed youth was killed on the spot and another escaped towards Narankonjin village, it said.