Imphal: A one-man commission will inquire into the mysterious death of a VDF personnel after missing while performing an official duty of destruction of illegal poppy fields in Manipur’s Chandel district.
Ningombam Premananda Singh (37), a resident of Okram Leikai of Thoubal district disappeared from the camp of a police team on a poppy plant destruction mission in Chandel district.
He went missing on the night of January 21 and later found dead at Levanant village under Chakpikarong police station of Chandel district on February 3.
With a strong suspicion that he was killed after being abducted, family members backed by a local joint action committee have been demanding a judicial probe.
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Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh had also agreed to the demand.
An order of the Home department issued on February 16 constituted the one man inquiry commission to be presided by retired district and session judge U Kol to inquire into the circumstances leading to the death of the VDF personnel.
The order stated that the state government has taken a very serious view of the “unfortunate and mysterious” death of the VDF personnel and is satisfied that it is a definite matter of public importance.
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The term of reference of commission is to enquire into the causes and circumstances leading to the death of the VDF personnel, to find out whether the unfortunate incident could have been averted, to find out who is/are responsible for the death and to recommend corrective measures and remedies to prevent recurrence of such incident in future.
The inquiry commission was constituted under the provision of the sub-sections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952), the order stated.
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