SDO of Kashom Khullen in Ukhrul district, Kishan, his driver Aribam Rajen Sharma and Mandal Yumnam Token Singh, all Imphal residents, were found dead at a village in Senapati district on February 17, 2009.
In June of the same year, the NSCN (IM) handed over Hopeson Ningsen to the Naga Hoho, the highest Naga civil organization of the region. Later, the CBI took him in custody for investigation. He is currently in Tihar Jail. Before the court of a Special Judge in Patiala House the trail began on Monday, sources said, adding that owing to security reasons, the trial venue has been fixed at the national capital.
During the proceedings, the defence counsel contended that Ningshen had only ordered the arrest of the late Kishan with the intention to collect misappropriated fund. Stating that the NSCN (IM) has not been declared as a terrorist organization under Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act, 1967, Ningshen's detention is unlawful, he argued.
Considering the lack of common intention, Ningshen could not be accused of being the mastermind of the murder-conspiracy, the lawyer told the court. The senior public prosecutor argued that NSCN (IM) does not have any right to collect "misappropriated fund", nor arrest any government servant.
He further asserted that the charge of "misappropriation of fund" against late Kishan had been conclusively proved false by the statements given by witnesses. The next hearing of the case will be on February 21.On the other hand the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed by irate locals against the murder has demanded the authorities concerned to arrest the remaining three accused without further delay.