Senapati district RTI activists seek help
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 17 2021:
RTI activists of Senapati district have appealed to authority concerned to save their colleagues from the hands of NSCN-IM.
According to a statement signed by RTI activists P Johnson Samo of Taphou Phyamai village and PR Amose of Khabung Khunou, some RTI activists of Senapati district are hiding after NSCN-IM threatened them to withdraw the RTI application they filed to CEO of ADC Senapati.
The activists sought details of fund released under ADC for development of 16-Phuba DCC, 17-Phaibung DCC, 18-Ngari Khullen DCC and 24-Karong DCC and progress of the works.
The statement also said that the diktat to withdraw the RTI application was issued by NSCN-IM's Shepoumaramth region leader KV Sounii and Rev Puni Mao and both the NSCN-IM leaders have long been threatening RTI activists to withdraw the application.
In the diktat issued on March 16 and 17, the two leaders warned that no one in the region should file RTI application to the government of India and anyone defying the order shall be given capital punishment.
According to the statement, one RTI activist named Inoch was tortured by NSCN-IM for refusing to withdraw the RTI application and he was forced to withdraw the application with heavy fine.
Three more RTI activists have ran away from their village in fear of NSCN-IM and currently hiding in Imphal.
Apart from this, one RTI activist namely Dalouni, who filed RTI application along with 28 villagers had to pay heavy fine and withdraw the application after he was rounded up by NSCN-IM.
RTI activists sought help from Poumai Naga Union, Mao Council, Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me, Poumai Naotumai Me and human rights organisations based in Senapati but no help is coming from any of these organisations, the statement said and appealed to the central and state governments, CSOs and human rights organisations to help in saving lives of RTI activists.