Hostage crisis: PIL raises suspicion about involvement of policeman
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 4 : The High Court of Manipur has sought an Action Taken Report in the case of six missing Naga men, abducted by suspected Kuki militants from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
The ATR (Action Taken Report), directed to be submitted by June 8, was sought by a division bench of the High Court after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Mark Khaphai.
While the PIL sought the Court to issue a writ or an order to the State and Union Government and their agencies to trace the six Naga men and secure their release, it also raised suspicion about the involvement of one Manipur police personnel in the May 13 abduction of 20 individuals, including men, women and a girl child.
Interestingly while the Additional Advocate General of the State Government submitted that the case has been handed over to the NIA, the Deputy Solicitor maintained that the NIA is yet to receive any intimation of the case being handed to them.
The PIL alleged that a woman, who was among those abducted, has identified one Thangginlen of Leilon Vaiphei, a Manipur Police personnel posted at Leimakhong police outpost, as one of the persons who detained them.
The petitioner's counsel submitted to the Court that 20 villagers of Konsakhul were detained by the villagers of Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village on May 13.
Those detained and taken hostage include the six men whose whereabouts have remained unknown, said the counsel.
The six men include Kenpibou Chawang, Phenrongwi Thiumai, Manu Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Chawang Phenrilung, and Kaliwangbou Abonmai.
Mentioning testimonies of the women who were detained and later released, the counsel said the men and women were separated sometime after they were detained, and later the women were blindfolded and taken by armed men dressed in black. The armed men threatened the women and they were instructed to have their last prayers. When their blindfolds were removed, "one of the women could identify and recognize one Thangginlen of Leilon Vaiphei, a Manipur Police personnel posted at Leimakhong police outpost", said the counsel.
The counsel then sought the Court to issue appropriate orders to secure the safe release of the six men and also pass an order for constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate and monitor the case. After hearing the submission, the Court issued a notice, returnable on June 8, to the State Government, Union Government, DGP Manipur Manipur Police, SP Kangpokpi and the NIA for the purpose of requisitioning an Action Taken Report.
The Court stated that the respondents may submit a common/joint action taken report by June 8, and fixed the date for next hearing.
IMPHAL, Jun 4 : The High Court of Manipur has sought an Action Taken Report in the case of six missing Naga men, abducted by suspected Kuki militants from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
The ATR (Action Taken Report), directed to be submitted by June 8, was sought by a division bench of the High Court after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Mark Khaphai.
While the PIL sought the Court to issue a writ or an order to the State and Union Government and their agencies to trace the six Naga men and secure their release, it also raised suspicion about the involvement of one Manipur police personnel in the May 13 abduction of 20 individuals, including men, women and a girl child.
Interestingly while the Additional Advocate General of the State Government submitted that the case has been handed over to the NIA, the Deputy Solicitor maintained that the NIA is yet to receive any intimation of the case being handed to them.
The PIL alleged that a woman, who was among those abducted, has identified one Thangginlen of Leilon Vaiphei, a Manipur Police personnel posted at Leimakhong police outpost, as one of the persons who detained them.
The petitioner's counsel submitted to the Court that 20 villagers of Konsakhul were detained by the villagers of Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village on May 13.
Those detained and taken hostage include the six men whose whereabouts have remained unknown, said the counsel.
The six men include Kenpibou Chawang, Phenrongwi Thiumai, Manu Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Chawang Phenrilung, and Kaliwangbou Abonmai.
Mentioning testimonies of the women who were detained and later released, the counsel said the men and women were separated sometime after they were detained, and later the women were blindfolded and taken by armed men dressed in black. The armed men threatened the women and they were instructed to have their last prayers. When their blindfolds were removed, "one of the women could identify and recognize one Thangginlen of Leilon Vaiphei, a Manipur Police personnel posted at Leimakhong police outpost", said the counsel.
The counsel then sought the Court to issue appropriate orders to secure the safe release of the six men and also pass an order for constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate and monitor the case. After hearing the submission, the Court issued a notice, returnable on June 8, to the State Government, Union Government, DGP Manipur Manipur Police, SP Kangpokpi and the NIA for the purpose of requisitioning an Action Taken Report.
The Court stated that the respondents may submit a common/joint action taken report by June 8, and fixed the date for next hearing.