HRA clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2014 : Human Rights Alert (HRA) has clarified on the following points in connection with the "non-appearance of Babloo Loitongbam, executive director of HRA before the Privilege Committee" as reported in some of the local dailies on Sunday on the alleged breach of privilege and contempt of Manipur Legislative Assembly.

When HRA received letter no.1/08/2013-14/LA (Priv) dated 25 July 2014 summoning Loitongbam to appear before the Privilege Committee the next day, he was already on his way to Delhi to attend the meeting of the Working Group on Human Rights in India and the UN (WGHR) scheduled on July 26, 2014 at New Delhi.

The WGHR meeting was fixed months in advance and the WGHR secre- tariat has booked his flight ticket as early as July 16, 2014.It has nothing to do with the developments in the last few days.

As it is not possible for the director to attend the Committee meeting at 10 am on July 26, 2014, the program executive of HRA submitted a written representation to the Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly informing his ina- bility to attend the proceeding and seeking a fresh date for HRA director to appear in person.

The programme executive also sought a copy of the notice of breach of privilege and Contempt of the House raised by Dr.I Ibohalbi MLA which was mentioned in the letter to have been enclosed but did not come through.

HRA is happy to note that the Assembly Secretariat has kindly delivered a copy of the notice of breach of privilege and Contempt of the House raised by Dr.I Ibohalbi to HRA office on July 26, 2014 afternoon.

HRA is awaiting the next date fixed by the Privilege Committee for hearing and HRA will fully cooperate with the proceedings of the Committee to dig out the truth and ensure that justice prevails.

There is no question of HRA director abs- conding from the proceedings.

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