Imphal, March 1, 2007: The Gauhati High Court has fixed further hearing on the Tuyang case, in which Assam Rifles personnel were accused of using Tuyang villagers as forced labourers, after three weeks.
The matter was heard by Justices MBK and PD Agarwal in their Imphal Bench sitting in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Limkhojam Haokip, chief of Tuyang village and Tongle, village committee secretary.
The PIL petitioners contended that personnel of 16 AR not only forced the villagers to work as unpaid labourers but also assaulted them. They also accused AR of planting landmines along the village road besides felling trees nurtured by the villagers. So far AR have taken away 30 truck loads of timber, said the PIL.
As per a direction of the High Court earlier, a senior State Police Officer conducted a spot enquiry into the allegation and report of the same was placed before the Court on February 22. With the report confirming the allegation prima facie, the Court issued notice of motion making the respondents returnable within two weeks.
The case was again taken up today. But the Court did not pass any interim order, said advocate Meihoubam Rakesh, Imphal unit coordinator of Human Rights Law Network, appearing on behalf of the PIL.
Nevertheless, the Court asked the respondents to file counter affidavits making them returnable within three weeks. It also fixed further hearing on the case on the returnable day.
The respondents include the Union of India represented by Secretary MHA, Union Defence Secretary, IG AR (South), CO 16 AR, State Principal Secretary (Home) and the DGP.
Source: The Sangai Express
See also:
- Environmental Clearance of Tipaimukh Dam by MoEF (October 31st, 2008)
- Chakka bandh on Sep 18 against Tipaimukh dam (September 17th, 2008)
- 1 lakh Manipur villagers hit by bamboo flowering (September 2nd, 2008)
- Heavy security to be deployed on 99 km stretch of road to Tipaimukh dam (July 29th, 2008)
- Army launches Tipaimukh vigil (April 30th, 2008)