CBI, NIA rejects allegation of discriminatory conduct; Says doing probe and arrest by the book
CONFLICT
Imphal: Even as Churachandpur and Kangpokpi based Chin-Kuki-Zo communities have termed as abuse of power and discriminatory, the arrest of four persons and detention of two minor children allegedly for their involvement in the abduction and murder of two teen students from Imphal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and another by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on charged of transnational conspiracy to wage war against India by exploiting the current turmoil in Manipur, the central investigating agencies, the CBI and NIA on Monday said the arrests were made based on preliminary evidences.
Rejecting the Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) allegation of “selective and discriminatory opening of cases and investigation by central agencies under the influence of the state government” the central agencies said that the probes and the arrests were being done strictly according to the rule book of the Indian Penal Code and no partiality have been shown against any community, religion or sect were shown.
The CBI said the arrest of the four persons for their alleged involvement in the abduction and murder of the two teen Manipuri Students on Sunday were based on preliminary evidence collected during its probe into the case. The four were placed under arrest in a joint operation of the CBI, Manipur Police and the Army.
The NIA also clarified that the recently arrested, Seiminlun Gangte is one of the key accused in a SUV blast case, now known as Kwakta blast that injured three including a child. He was brought to New Delhi after securing his transit remand from the competent Court. While reiterating that due course of law is adhered to, the central official said evidence collected by the anti-terror agency will be placed before the competent Court and termed the allegation of biased against it as baseless and an attempt to derail the probe.
Normal life in Churachandpur district was paralyzed on Monday by the indefinite shutdown called by the ITLF against the arrest of four persons and detention of two minor children by CBI and another by the NIA from Churachandpur.
All business establishments at Churachandpur and Kangpokpi district headquarters were shutdown seriously affected normal life. Except for emergency and ceremonial services, no vehicles plied on the road as central forces and district cops remained vigil as pre-emptive measures though no untoward incident was reported.
Earlier, public protests erupted in the valley districts after photos of the two missing students, a boy and a girl, and their purported dead bodies went viral on social media last week.
On Monday, parents of the two victim students categorically demanded the government to hand over the bodies of their children for performing the last rites.
Y. Birohhini Devi, the grieving mother of Phijam Hemanjit (17) said she is happy with the recent arrest but unhappy with the case being taken to Guwhati. “It’s good, we’re successful in arresting them but why did they have to take them away? I wanted to see them. Moreover my son’s sim was used on their handset registered to a woman but a man used to pick it up whenever we called. So I want that chap to be arrested too.``
Hijam Lingthoingambi (17) father Hijam Kullajit’s only request is for the government to hand over the bodies. “Please hand over the bodies to us so that their last rites may be performed.”
Civil organization bodies in the valley are demanding justice in the abduction and murder of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Lingthoingambi, both 17 years who went missing on 6 July. Protesters are on demanding justice as well as to trace the bodies of the teen students and quickly recover them.