IT News
Imphal, Oct 17:
The Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) has expressed deep concern over what it alleges is negligence in the ongoing investigation into the suspicious deaths of Adhikarimayum Basanti, a widow, and her daughter, Adhikarimayum Lanchenbi. The investigation, currently under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Wangoi, has been called into question, with accusations of a possible cover-up involving the prime suspects.
According to the YFPHR, there are serious doubts about the impartiality of the investigation, with allegations that the SDPO may be working in close connection with the suspects to obscure critical evidence. The forum pointed out that the SDPO is reportedly a close associate of the former Officer-in-Charge of Manipur Police in Jiribam, who is the brother of the primary suspect in the case.
YFPHR has highlighted the troubling narrative surrounding the deaths, as the investigation team and the suspect’s family have propagated the theory of a suicide without awaiting the post-mortem report. This, the forum claims, raises serious concerns about potential collusion aimed at distorting the facts of the case.
Despite 24 days passing since the start of the investigation, not a single suspect has been taken into custody for questioning. Furthermore, the forum alleges that key evidence and witness testimonies provided by local residents have been disregarded. YFPHR pointed to an incident where members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) informed the police about a bloodstained cloth found near the deceased’s house, but the investigation team failed to recover the item.
“The investigative team seems to have ignored crucial evidence and has not properly corroborated the circumstances surrounding the deaths. This negligence has eroded public trust in the investigation,” a YFPHR spokesperson said.
The forum also criticized the handling of potential evidence and suggested that the current investigative team lacks the competence to conduct a thorough and impartial probe into the suspicious deaths of Basanti and Lanchenbi. As a result, YFPHR is calling on the Home Department, the Director General of Police, and the Superintendent of Police in Imphal West to urgently form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to lead the probe. They recommend that the SIT be headed by an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police to ensure a comprehensive investigation into the case.