Source: The Sangai Express
Guwahati, August 27:
The Gauhati High Court today suggested a compromise solution to Assam Rifles and Manipur Government regarding appearance of Army personnel before the C Upendra Singh Commission inquiring into the alleged rape and killing of Th Manorama Devi in Manipur.
Justice PG Agarwala, hearing two separate petitions filed by the Commandant 17 Assam Rifles and four other constables challenging the Manipur Government notification on the constitution of the Inquiry Commission, called the lawyers of both Manipur Government and Assam Rifles to his chamber considering the sensitivity of the case.
Justice Agarwala suggested that the personnel of Assam Rifles could be examined at Central Jail, Imphal while the witnesses could be questioned at the present Commission venue of Guest House One.
The Assam Rifles personnel had refused to appear for examination at the Commission's office but had agreed to be questioned at Kangla Fort, the AR headquarters in Imphal.
The AR and Manipur Government lawyers were asked to respond to Judge's suggestion by tomorrow.
Justice Upendra said the Commission would issue the arrest warrant as passed yesterday at 10:45 am tomorrow.
The Commission also sought sufficient forces, including central para-military forces and Manipur police, for deployment at the time of hearing tomorrow.
The four Assam Rifles personnel asked to appear were Naik Subedar Digambar Dutt, Havildar Sureshkumar, Rifleman Lotha and Rifleman Ajit Singh.
The State Government had ordered a judicial inquiry to find out the circumstances and causes leading to the death of 30-year-old Manorama Devi who was picked up from her house by Assam Rifles after serving an arrest memo on July 10.Her body was found on July 11 at Wangkhem Ngariyari area near her house.