Youth killed in custody, allege family members

IMPHAL, January 27: The family members of Ningthoujam Sanjoy Singh who was found shot dead with another alleged member of PREPAK at Guwahati on January 24, has alleged that Sanjoy was innocent and was killed in custody. The alleged PREPAK man is identified as B Jasobanta of Wangjing. Family members said Sanjoy (23) son of Surendrakumar of Wahengbam Leikai was staying at a rented house near Roop Nagar and was waiting to pursue a computer course. Iterating that the youth is innocent, family members said that Sanjoy was picked up from his rented room in the adjoining night of January 22 and 23 by a combined force of Assam Rifles and Assam Police without any arrest memo. The next day he was killed by the police, they alleged. In an application filed with the State DGP today the mother of Sanjoy maintained that her son was an innocent youth who had no connection with any underground outfits. She urged the DGP to probe the matter. The body was brought home today. Family members said that apart from a bullet mark there were bruises on the mouth and chest. Meanwhile human rights activists Kh Mani, advocate RK Anand and Joychandra condemned the 'judicial death of Sanjoy'. They said the youth was another victim of the excesses committed by the security forces under the garb of counter insurgency operations and added that the AFSPA have given unlimited power to security forces to do as they please. They said the State Government should take up the matter with the Assam Government.