SIPHRO

Imphal, February 22, 2007: investigation report into allegations of Assam Rifles troopers committing excesses in Tuyang village of Chandel district has been placed before the Gauhati High Court today.

Confirming tabling of the probe finding through the DGP, advocate M Rakesh appearing on behalf of two petitioners in the case quoted the Court as saying “it appears from the report that the allegations of the petitioners are prima facie correct. In this situation, we think it proper to issue a notice of motion”.

The Court headed by Justice UB Saha and K Meruno after perusing the report and making its observation on the same, subsequently issued notices to the respondents ,making them returnable within two weeks.

The listed respondents include Union of India represented by secretary MHA, Defence Secretary, IGAR (S), CO 16 Assam Rifles, principal Secretary (Home), Govt of Manipur and State DGP.

The Court also fixed March 1 for hearing interim prayers of the petitioners. Village chief of Tuyang village Limkhojam Haokip and village committee secretary Tonghe, in separate PILs accused 16 AR troopers of forcibly engaging the villagers as menial labourers, bashing up the locals, planting landmines along the village footpath, chopping down nurtured trees and carrying away 30 loads of timber. After hearing contention of the petitioners’ counsel on February 20, the High Court directed the state DGP to depute a police officer to investigate the matter and submit relevant report by afternoon today.

With the task of probing the case assigned to Director (MPTS) W Minakumar, the IPS officer duly complied with the Court directive and on completion of the inquiry placed the report before the Court today.

Source: The Sangai Express