Manipur: Muslim constable killed in custody; locals demand CBI inquiry

Manjur Ahmed

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

In yet another case of custodial killing, a policeman who was suspended and later arrested for alleged wrongdoings was murdered by fellow policemen in Imphal, Manipur on March 30.

Manjur Alam, who had been posted at Reserve Lines, Imphal East as Police Constable, was suspended on March 12 after the police found his phone number and a photo on the phone of dreaded extortionist and kidnapper Thockchom Nando, who was the alleged mastermind of rape and murder of L Elizabeth, an 8-year-old girl, in 2003. Nando had been brought in for treatment to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in November 2018 for treatment for spinal injury. On March 25, he escaped the hospital following which the police launched a statewide search. Manjul Ahmed was arrested in this regard and sent to remand at the Porompat Police Station in Imphal on March 27. On March 30, he was brought to JNIMS where he was declared dead upon arrival.

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 The sudden death of the 34-year-old policeman who was in perfect shape and had been serving duty until two weeks ago has raised severe doubts over the actions of the police. A Joint Action Committee set up in support of Ahmed said this was a clear case of murder. “How can a fit person die in three days in remand? What did the police do to him? It is clear that the interrogation methods used on him proved to be fatal,” said  Miraj Shah Kori, a member of the JAC. “Also, it must be questioned how a person like Nando had a phone to begin with. How was that allowed? And why did the police not arrest other people whose phone numbers were on his contact list? Why only Manjur?” he asked. “A dreaded criminal like Nando was given a fair trial so why wasn’t Manjur given the same chance?” he questioned.
A letter of appreciation written in favour of Manjur Ahmed
 What makes the murder even more murky is that the police blamed Manjur for helping Nando escape, even though Manjur was under suspension when Nando escaped. In fact, only yesterday the police have arrested 10 people in connection with the escape of Nando. Shah, however, says that this is immaterial now. “Manjur was a dedicated person and had been facilitated by the authorities in December for his work. Even if he was at fault, how can anyone justify murdering him? There is a law in place so why not take that course? If he was guilty, punish him. But he was killed by the authorities instead,” said Kori.

The Joint Action Committee has demanded a CBI inquiry into the issue and the arrest of the guilty police personnel. They have also asked to ensure that the police investigate the matter of Nando’s escape with utmost seriousness and ensure that the guilty are arrested. Meanwhile, the Court has issued a non-bailable warrant against Nando.

This is the third custodial murder in Manipur in the last four months. A custodial murder took place in Thoubal District of Manipur in December while another took place in Keibul, Bishunpur District in February. In both cases, the accused who were arrested were found dead in police custody.

A sit-in protest against the custodial murder of Manjur Ahmed

On April 1, the JAC organised a sit-in protest at the main gate of Yairipok Azad Hr Sec School against the death of Md Manjur Ahmed.

Speaking to the media persons, Sajida (younger sister of Manjur) said that she was serving breakfast to her brother on March 27 when one of the police personnel took him for interrogation. Three days later, the police handed over the dead body of her brother.

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