The Special Judge (NIA), Imphal West on Friday remanded two main suspects behind assassination of SDPO, Moreh, into judicial custody for 15 days till February 23.
The accused are Philip Khaikholal Khongsai, 43 years, son of (L) Marcus Khongsai of New Moreh Ward No. 8 and Hemkholal Mate 35, son of (L) Otkholun Mate of K Moulsang.
It should be mentioned that on October 31, 2023, some suspected Kuki militants fired towards a team of District Police, Tengnoupal, Special Commando and 5 IRB at the playground of Eastern Shine School, located at Moreh Turel wangma, Ward No. 7 Tengnoupal District by using illegal weapons while they were cleaning the playground.
In the incident, Chingthem Anandkumar Singh, Sub Divisional Police Officer, Moreh, was hit by a bullet on his stomach. He was rushed to PHC, Moreh immediately but succumbed to his injuries.
A suo moto case was registered under FIR No. 1645(10)2023 MRH P.S., U/s 302/400/34 IPC & 25 (1-C) Arms Act for investigation.
Special PP, based on the police papers, submitted that A-1 is the president of Moreh Youth Club, a member of Kuki Inpi, Tengnoupal and involved in activities of Kuki Inpi, whereas, A-2 is the Village Chief of Molsang Village, Moreh and a close associate of A-1.
Both the accused persons participated in the ambushing and attacking of Manipur State Police, Assam Rifles and other Central Forces deployed at Moreh; their photographs along with other village volunteers, Moreh, also surfaced on social media.
It is also submitted that they were armed with sophisticated weapons and at multiple instances, threatened the deceased of dire consequences. It is further submitted that there is ample evidence against the accused persons and judicial custody remand is required for proper investigation.
Counsel Siddhartha Borgohain, appearing on behalf of the accused persons, submitted that there are no adequate grounds for remanding the accused persons into judicial custody.
From the submission of both the counsels and on perusal of the materials on record, the court stated that the accusations leveled against the accused persons are well founded, even though the materials are not disclosed in the order.
Hence, both the accused persons were remanded into judicial custody till February 23.
Counsel of the accused persons submitted that he is desirous to meet the accused persons but in view of the prevailing law and order situation, he is praying for allowing him to have a video conferencing with the accused persons at a given time. The prayer was allowed by the court.
