IT News
Imphal, Sept 5:
In a significant development, the High Court of Manipur today heard the writ petition filed by Smt. Akoijam Shantibala Devi, seeking justice for the brutal killing of her son, Akoijam Nongnganba, and issued a notice of motion to the respondents. The case, which has drawn widespread public attention, involves the alleged involvement of cadres from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah faction) [NSCN (IM)], a militant organization under a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India.
The petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeks a directive to transfer the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) due to concerns about the impartiality and efficacy of the ongoing investigation by the State police. Smt. Shantibala Devi contends that the investigation has been hampered by the political complexities surrounding the ceasefire agreement between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India.
The tragic events unfolded on February 12, 2023, when the lifeless body of Akoijam Nongnganba, a bachelor, was discovered at Changoubung village, around 3 kilometers from Kangpokpi Police Station. According to the petition, Nongnganba had left home the previous evening, accompanied by a friend, but never returned. His family initially believed he might have stayed at his resort, ‘Cicada.’ However, the following day, the petitioner, Smt. Shantibala Devi, received a devastating phone call from an unknown person, informing her that her son’s body had been found.
Eyewitness accounts and subsequent investigations revealed that Nongnganba had been abducted and brutally assaulted. His body bore multiple injuries consistent with severe blunt force trauma, indicating a violent and premeditated attack. The postmortem report confirmed that the cause of death was intracranial hemorrhage due to blunt force injuries to the head, strongly suggesting a homicide.
An initial criminal case was registered by Kangpokpi Police under FIR No. 8(2)2023 KPI-PS for offences including murder and conspiracy. The investigation revealed that members of the NSCN (IM), a militant group engaged in peace talks with the government, were allegedly involved in the murder. Despite the seriousness of the crime and the involvement of a proscribed organization, the petitioner argues that the State police have failed to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, citing political constraints related to the ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (IM).
During today’s proceedings, the High Court, presided over by Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh, issued a notice of motion to the respondents, returnable on 22nd October 2024. Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani appeared on behalf of the petitioner, assisted by Advocate Meihoubam Rakesh. Central Government Counsel B. Ravichandra Sharma represented Respondents No. 1 and 3, while Respondent No. 2 was represented by Government Advocate S. Niranjan Singh.
The petition highlights the failure of the current investigation to bring the culprits to justice and emphasizes the need for an impartial probe by the NIA, which has the expertise to investigate crimes involving proscribed organizations like the NSCN (IM). The petitioner seeks to ensure that justice is served for her son and that the investigation is carried out without any external influence or bias.
