Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla said the killing of Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh will be probed by the National Investigation Agency.
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IMPHAL — Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday said the murder case of a Meitei civilian in Churachandpur district will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a “thorough and impartial investigation”.
Bhalla conveyed this to a delegation of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed against the killing of Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh (29), when the group submitted a memorandum to him at Lok Bhavan in Imphal.
Rishikanta Singh of Kakching Khunou Hijam Uchan Makhong Leikai in Kakching district, was abducted along with his fiancée, Chingnu Haokip, from their residence at Tuibong and later shot dead at Natjang village by unknown armed miscreants suspected to be militants based in Churachandpur district on the night of January 21.
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According to information from various sources, Rishikanta, who had been working in Nepal, had arrived in Churachandpur a few days earlier to reunite with his fiancée. On Wednesday evening, three unidentified armed men reportedly arrived at their residence and forcibly abducted him. Both Rishikanta and his fiancée were taken in a vehicle to an unknown location, but his fiancée was later pushed out of the vehicle, while he was taken towards a nearby hill, where he was allegedly killed.
The Governor told the JAC delegation that intensive combing operations have been launched to apprehend those responsible, with coordinated efforts involving both state and central forces. He said the operations are being carried out on a war footing.
Assuring the delegation of the government’s attention to the matter, Bhalla said all necessary measures are being taken in accordance with law and expressed regret over the loss of life.
The JAC, in its memorandum to the Governor, conveyed concerns and sought appropriate action in connection with the death of Rishikanta Singh.
The JAC delegation was accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, MLAs Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh (Khundrakpam) and Kangujam Ranjit Singh (Sugnu), and members of the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, the Manipur government has announced an ex-gratia of INR 10 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. Commissioner-cum-Secretary N Ashok Kumar issued a press release in this regard on Friday, expressing condolences and sharing the grief of the bereaved family.