SHILLONG: A Junior Commission Officer (JCO) of the 3rd India Reserved Battalion (IRB) , Elangbam Shantikumar Singh, who was on guard duty of the visiting Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma in Imphal, was found dead with bullet wound in a hotel room on Sunday morning.
He was deployed for duty at Hotel Classic Grande where CM Conrad Sangma was also staying.
Speaking to The Shillong Times over the phone, Director General of Police (DGP) Manipur, LM Khaute said that the actual circumstances leading to his death was being investigated.
“In the morning hours at around 3:30 am, a gun-shot was heard and as soon as the incident was reported, the concerned police officers visited the spot, I also visited the spot where it was seen that service weapon was lying next to him and one empty case of the service weapon 9 mm was also found in the room where they (security personnel) was accommodated,” he said.
The Manipur DGP said that the requisite formalities were taken up, inquest was also performed while stressing that investigation is going on.
“He was detailed along with one section of others at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal. He was there to generally secure the hotel during VIPs visit and not for any particular individual. A host of VIPs are there and detailed security for securing the general area was there,” Khaute said.
Asked on the suicide angle, he said, “Investigation is going on. Apparently, there are no signs of disputes or quarrels or whatever for the time being….I cannot definitely say because investigation has to take place.”
The deceased personnel is from Langmeidong under Kakching District in Manipur