CSOs set 3 days' deadline for release of trio
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, November 07 2021: Civil society organisations in Kangpokpi have demanded the state government and authorities concerned to release the 'innocent' trio arrested on October 25 in connection with the B Gamnom killing case within three days.
The civil bodies also cautioned that if the trio is not released within the stipulated time, they will launch intense agitations from November 10.Thangtinlen Haokip, general secretary KSO Sadar Hills, on behalf of the CSOs, recounted that on October 25, three individuals, namely, Hentinseh Singsit, Seigoulun Singsit and Henminlun Misao were arrested by Imphal West police commandos and Assam Rifles and incriminated them with the B Gamnom firing incident that occurred on October 12 leading to death of three innocent civilians.
He then clarified that the three individuals were drug users and not KNF-N cadres as claimed by the police.
They are innocent people who have no connection with the firing incident or the party in question.
The three were first handed over to Patsoi PS and then transferred to Porompat PS on Saturday.
He continued that Hentinseh is a known drug user from K Phoipi, Motbung under Kangpokpi district and was kept at New Life Rehab Centre in Imphal four months back, while pointing out that during the time of the incident he was still at the centre and came home on October 15 on leave.
The general secretary added that a team of media and family members visited the rehab centre and met the officials and some of the inmates who confirmed that Hentinseh was at the rehab centre till October 15.He also said that Seigoulun, who is also from K Phoipi Motbung, is a juvenile born on November 14,2003, and drug user, but the police had written his age as 20 years, adding that the authority has failed to determine his age which is in total violation of human rights and Juvenile Justice Act and non-compliance of the provisions therein.
Thangtinlen then appealed to the Child Welfare Committee to have a look at this lapse on the part of the police concerned.
He further said that last month the family of Seigoulun Singsit came to know that he was using drugs and heroin and they had decided to keep him in a rehab centre but due to financial problems they had to withhold his rehabilitation.
Seigoulun never moved out from the village except in the early part of the year when he went to Tamei sub-division as a labourer for house construction.
On October 22 he told his mother that he would be joining a Bible Camp at Kangpokpi that was meant for drug addicts and left home but, much to their surprise, they came to learn of his arrest.
Henminlun is also on the same page with Hentinseh and Seigoulun and his innocence is also beyond doubt.
Presently he is staying at Pangmol village near Motbung in a rented house with his family, he added.
KSO Sadar Hills also said that if anyone is doubtful of its statement, they can come and ask any person on the street of K Phoipi, Motbung and Pangmol village to find out the truth about the identities of the arrested trio.
In spite of the knowledge that they are drug-dependent, putting them in police custody and further remanding them in judicial custody is highly condemnable, Thangtinlen Haokip said.
"We have an inkling that the police have got a list of all those criminals involved in the B Gamnom firing incident and not even one of them is said to figure in that list, then why the trio being made a scapegoat and tortured for a crime that has nothing to do with them," he asked.
He continued that if they are KNF-N cadres as claimed, it will be appreciated if the police department comcout with evidence and put it in public domain for scrutiny like when did they join the party, what are their aliases, belt or chest numbers and when did they took the oath or any photo evidence to corroborate their claims.
The truth is that these three have never set foot in B Gamnom area and for the sake of truth and clarity why not send a team to B Gamnom area and enquire from the locals whether they had ever seen them in the area, he added.
He further said that the botched-up arrest clearly shows that something definitely is wrong with the intelligence apparatus while adding that why punished innocent people to cover up the incompetency and inefficiency of the authorities concerned while the real culprits are somewhere rubbing their hands in glee.
The CSOs appealed to the media fraternity to undertake investigative journalism and find out whether the police version is the fact or that of the family, while urging the CSOs of Manipur to look into the matter as this could create a bad precedent in the future if justice is not delivered to these three innocent civilians.
"Justice is becoming too expensive for poor people like us who are living from hand to mouth.
If this had happened to the high and mighty the bungling of the police could have been brought to light within two days but unfortunately, we do not have that kind of resources," Thangtinlen added.
He continued that due to their arrest the families are being taunted, shamed, humiliated and traumatized by people who are not aware of the real truth.
"So, it is our humble appeal to the authority concerned to review their case and release them within three days without any condition on humanitarian ground," he pleaded.
The CSOs then cautioned that they will launch intense agitation in case the trio is not released within the stipulated time.
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