'Difficult to believe 20 personnel could not have overpowered rather than killed him'

 
Nameirakpam Gobind Meitei, 25
Nameirakpam Nobo Meitei, 27
April 4, 2009 | Manipur Police, Assam Rifles
Forces' version
Manipur Police commandos received a reliable input about persons suspected to be members of a valley-based terrorist organisation at the Games Village, Langol area. A team assisted by Assam Rifles personnel rushed to the area where, on seeing their vehicles, four or five armed militants started firing with sophisticated weapons. The forces fired in retaliation, leading to a seven-minute encounter in which two of the armed militants were killed while two others escaped. Arms and ammunition were recovered.
Commission's findings
The forces had straightaway started their movements relying on information that was not specific, which creates enough suspicion as to the receipt of the information itself.
In spite of heavy firing, no damage was caused to any of the forces' vehicles.
The medical evidence clearly indicates that the intention of the security forces was not to disable and arrest the suspects but to eliminate them.
Gobind Meitei had no established criminal antecedents except that he was suspected to be a KCP UG activist while Nobo Meitei had a case registered under UAPA as far back as 2001; this case too had been closed in 2002. Therefore, it is highly improbable that these two victims were people who were involved in any unlawful activities at the time when the incident took place.
Forces' version
Manipur Police received information from Assam Rifles about movement of underground cadres of PULF in Phoubakchao, Sekmaijin, with an intention of extorting money and attacking security forces. When they reached the spot (a house), they saw two youths fleeing, who fired at the security forces, who fired in self-defence. Azad Khan was killed, while the other person escaped. A 9mm pistol and ammunition was found.