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Manipur govt to probe VDF personnel’s mysterious death during anti-poppy ops
The VDF personnel went missing while attending an overnight duty of destroying illegal poppy plantations in Chandel district on January 21 and he was later found dead at Levanant village
The Manipur government has agreed to conduct a judicial inquiry into the mysterious death of a Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel of the state’s police department who had gone missing while attending an overnight duty of destroying illegal poppy plantations in Chandel district along the Indo-Myanmar border, a functionary of an action group formed in this connection said on Sunday following a meeting with chief minister N Biren Singh.
An agreement has been reached between the state government and the Joint Action Committee (JAC), said the functionary, who did not wish to be named.
The chief minister on Saturday tweeted, “The JAC in connection with the death of Shri (L) Premananda, VDF called on me at my official residence. The state government will ensure the proper & necessary investigation into the case as well as provide a govt. job to the wife & assistance to the two children of demise.”
Earlier on Friday, which was the last day of the two-day state legislative assembly session,the chief minister, who also holds the home portfolio, while responding to a call of attention motion by opposition Congress legislator O Surjakumar, had informed the House that the state authority had been taking all necessary steps to find the whereabouts of the missing VDF personnel.
The VDF personnel identified as N Premananda (37), a resident of Okram Leikai in Thoubal district, was part of a combined security team which went to Phaisi,a border village in Chandel district on January 16 and he has been reportedly missing since the intervening night of January 21 and 22. Later he was found dead at Levanant village under Chakpikarong Police Station on Friday. He is survived by his wife and two children.
The JAC functionary on Sunday said the agreement was signed by Ningombam Wanglen Meitei on behalf of JAC and deputy inspector general (DIG) of police (Range II) Nigshen Worngam on behalf of the state government.
As per the agreement, the inquiry will be conducted by a retired judge and will be completed within three months, the person added.
“A process to recognise the contribution of the late N Premananda Singh in the ‘war on drugs’ will be initiated, including erecting a memorial stone,” the functionary said, quoting the agreement.
