Sobhapati Samom
IMPHAL, Jan 20 – Even as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started to investigate into the alleged fake encounter in Manipur, Soma Choudhury, executive editor of Tehelka, a New Delhi-based news magazine, after failing to appear twice, deposed before the Justice Agarwal Commission of Inquiry probing the incident here today.
A CBI team had started its spot inquiry yesterday following an order from the Imphal Bench of the Gauhati High Court. It may be recalled that the incident that took place in Khwairamband market in Imphal on July 23 last year had claimed lives of two persons besides injuring five others.
Bailable warrant of arrest were issued to executive editor of the magazine and its Guwahati correspondent Teresa Rehman who wrote stories on the incident, after they failed to appear for the second time before the Commission on January 4 this year.
Appearing before the commission, Tehelka editor stated that she was not present in Imphal on July 23 last year when the incident happened in Imphal. She left Imphal for Delhi immediately after deposing before the Commission. She further said that her article “Life in a Shadow Land” published in the Tehelka issue dated August 15, 2009 is based mainly on interviews conducted by her and information gathered by herself.
It is, however, learnt that correspondent Teresa Rehman who failed to appear before the Commission reportedly sent an application to the Commission asking for permission to give her statement in Guwahati. Sources in the Commission said the date of the next hearing would be decided on or before January 27 next.
Meanwhile, the period for submission of the report of theCommission of Inquiry has been extended till January 31, sources added.
This is the second time that the inquiry period has been extended. ASSAM TRIBUNE
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