SIPHRO

Imphal, February 20, 2007: In a significant verdict, the gauhati High Court has directed the director General of Police to depute an officer not below the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP) to inquire into allegations that Assam Rifles personnel are using villagers of Tuyang in Chandel district as forced labourers.

Justice UB Saha and Justice K Merund, in their Imphal bench sitting, today passed the order following public interest litigations filed by chief of Tuyang village and secretary of the village committee.

The PILs alleged personnel of 16 AR of forcibly engaging the villagers for menial works besides beating them (villagers) and not even allowing the injured to proceed for treatment at hospital.

Tuyang is a small hamlet under Khenjoi block of Chandel district wherein a team of 16 AR stationed at Hollenjang post showed up on February 4 and allegedly went on the rampage thrashing the villagers after parading them.

As per the PILs, the villagers were restricted from tending their fields but forced to work as labourers in the AR camp without any payment.

Landmines are planted along the narrow footpaths used by the villagers, the petitioners contended while drawing the attention to the Court to act accordingly by directing the respondents to desist from causing harassment to the villagers.
Having heard the matter, the Court asked the DGP to depute an officer for probing the allegation and to ascertain the ground reality.

“The officer who will visit the village shall furnish a detailed report to this court by 12 noon of February 22,” insisted the Court.

The counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners was also asked to produce the complainants - Limkhojam Haokip and Tonghe - before the Court at 2 pm of February 22.

Advocate Meihoubam Rakesh of Imphal unit of the Human Rights Law Network appeared on behalf of the petitioners.

Source: The Sangai Express