The Counsel of Philip Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate sought permission to meet the accused persons through a video conferencing at a given time. The prayer was allowed by the court.
TFM Report
The Special Judge (NIA), Imphal West on Friday remanded two accused persons arrested in connection with Moreh SDPO assassination into 15-day judicial custody till February 23.
The accused were identified as 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.
Some suspected Kuki militants attacked a team of District Police, Tengnoupal and 5 IRB at the playground of Eastern Shine School in Moreh Turel wangma, Ward No. 7 of Tengnoupal District when they were cleaning the playground on October 31, 2023.
In the attack, Chingthem Anandkumar Singh. MPS, Sub Divisional Police Officer, Moreh sustained a bullet injury on his stomach. He succumbed to his injuries at PHC, Moreh.
A suo motto case was registered under sections 302/400/34 IPC & 25 (1-C) Arms Act for investigation at Moreh police station.
According to police, Philip Khaikholal Khongsai is the president of Moreh Youth Club, a member of Kuki Inpi, Tengnoupal and involved in activities of Kuki Inpi, whereas, Hemkholal Mate is the Village Chief of Molsang Village, Moreh and a close associate of the former. Both the accused persons participated in the ambushing and attacking on Manipur State Police, Assam Rifles and other Central Forces deployed at Moreh, their photographs along with other village volunteers, Moreh were also surfaced on social media.
Special PP submitted that they were armed with sophisticated weapons and at multiple instances they threatened the deceased of dire consequences. It is further submitted that there are ample evidences 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 accusation leveled against the accused persons are well founded, even though the materials are not disclosed in the order.
Hence, both the accused persons are remanded into judicial custody till February 23.
Counsel of the accused persons sought permission to meet the accused persons through a video conferencing at a given time. The prayer was allowed by the court.