The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended Manipur government to pay Rs 5 lakh as monetary relief to the kin of Sorokhiabam Jibon Singh, killed in an encounter in 2009.
"In the facts and circumstances of the case, even assuming that there was an encounter as claimed by police there could be no justification for such excessive use of force. Police exceeded the right of defence," the Commission observed in a statement.
"On consideration of material on record, received from the state government in response to its notices since 2010, the Commission observed that from the perusal of magisterial enquiry report, it is clear that inquiry officer had not associated family members of the deceased with the enquiry. Thus, the enquiry report did not inspire confidence," a statement by NHRC said.
"From the perusal of the post-mortem examination report, there were ten entrance wounds on the inter-costal region and abdomen and ten exit wounds on the backside of the body.
"Apart from it, there were firearm injuries on the right forearm and axilla. The injuries sustained by the deceased were not only fatal but also large in number indicating that police used excessive force during encounter," the Commission said.
The police had claimed that on receiving information that some hardcore members of KCP(MC) were loitering for committing prejudicial activities like kidnapping of government officials for ransom, a combined team was constituted.
At about 09:10 pm on July 1 in 2009, while patrolling from Chajing village side, two youths were found moving on foot at the Narankonjin Chingjen in a very suspicious manner. They were asked to stop, but they opened fire, which was retaliated. One unknown armed youth was killed on the spot and the other escaped towards Narankonjin village side, the statement said.
Recommending the monetary relief to the family of the deceased youth, who was later identified as Sorokhiabam Jibon Singh, the Commission gave eight weeks time for compliance report and proof of payment.
