AHRC demands high level probe
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 06 2010:
Taking serious note over the case of enforced disappearance of Leimakhujam Kokulo Singh, Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has demanded that a high level investigation be launched immediately to find out his whereabouts.
In an urgent appeal to all concerned under the caption, 'India: A man's life is at rick and his fate is unknown after his illegal arrested by the Army in Manipur', the Hong Kong based human rights body said that according to information it has received, on August 3, 2010 at around 5.30 pm, Leimakhujam Kokulo Singh and his wife Maniton Devi were returning home in an autorickshaw from Wahengbam Leikai in Imphal with eleven other passengers when an Army team in combat uniform stopped the autorickshaw at Patsoi Lai Umang along Imphal-Sangaithel Road.
The Army personnel instructed all the male passengers to exit the vehicle and told the women to remain seated.
After questioning and searching the male passengers, the soldiers were seen dragging Kokulo into a white Maruti Gypsy, which was driven away.
The Army did not issue an arrest memo, which is mandatory according to the guidelines of the Supreme Court of India.
Maniton managed to flag an autorickshaw and follow the Army vehicle.
She saw it entered the Maratha Light Infantry Camp, which is part of the Indian Army and stationed in the same complex as Patsoi Police Station, Maniton returned home immediately and alerted her family.
Shortly after this, at about 8 pm, Kokulo's brother received a call from an unknown man warning that Kokulo would be killed.
At around 9 pm, after consultation with the village elders, Kokulo's family went to Patsoi Police Station with around 20 local women.
When they requested for meeting the Officer-in-charge of the police station, two security personnel, one belonging to the police and the other from the Army who were stationed at the entrance gate turned them away.
The following day, the family members and some other villagers went to the police station again and met with the Army personnel at the Maratha Light Infantry Camp who denied any reports of such an arrest.
The family has submitted a written complaint to the Officer-in-charge of the police station but Kokulo's whereabouts remain untraced.