Imphal, May 05 2009: With reference to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by social activists Nepram Anita and Moirangthem Sanatomba both residents of Langathel on behalf of the villagers of Langathel and Phundrei under the initiative of Human Right Initiative (HRI), a Division Bench of Guwahati High Court, Imphal comprising Justice Maibam Binoykumar and Justice AC Upadhyay today has issued notice to the respondents which is returnable within four weeks time.

HRI recalled that N Anita was conferred with the Youth Award in the year 2007 and stated that Targeted Public Distribution System is a food secure scheme launched throughout the nation in the year 1997 but most of the really poor families of the villages have not been getting the benefits of this scheme as the deputy commissioner of Thoubal District and his subordinate officers and District Supply Officer failed to issue PDS ration cards to 938 applicants of Langathel and Phundrei villages stated the HRI press release.

Following another PIL against killing, a bench of the same high court has also issued notice of motion returnable within four weeks time in other two cases of custodial death in the hand of Manipur Police Commandos on arrest of Asem Bikram of Khumbong and Thangboi Kipgen of New Keithelmanbi on May 24, 2008 last and later killed at New Keithelmanbi area long with another youth named Bisharup.

HRI stated that Kipgen Haokip was arrested in front of his mother (petitioner) on that day by a team of commandos coming in civil dress and was taken away in a Maruti Car.

Ashem Ibempishak, the mother of Ashem Bikram who was also a victim lodged a written complaint with the OC Patsoi but her complaint was denied and then she approached the SP Imphal West but no action has been taken up till date.

Hence the mother of late Bikram and mother of Thangboi Kipgen, Henei Kipgen have filed separate cases of unjustified killing of their sons.

The respondents listed in the case included the State of Manipur through the Principal Secretary (Home) to the Government of Manipur, DGP Manipur and SP Imphal West District.

Advocate legal council of HRI, M Paikhomba will appear the above cases on behalf of the petitioners.