NCPRI writes to MHA over NSCN's threat to RTI activists
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 12 2021: The National Campaign for Peoples' Right to Information (NCPRI), New Delhi has written to Union Minister of Home Affairs expressing concern over a reported intimidation of RTI activists exercising their Right to Information in Manipur by NSCN (I-M) .

In its letter addressed to union home minister Amit Shah, NCPRI said that it has been brought to its notice that NSCN (I-M) has been intimidating and issuing death threats to RTI users in Senapati district of Manipur forcing them to go into hiding.

As per information provided to the NCPRI by concerned citizens, the life of four people, namely Kh Inoch, P Johnson Samo, SP Benjamin and PR Amose, all from Senapati district are under serious threat.

These people had filed applications under the RTI Act seeking information on progress of development works and utilisation details of welfare funds allocated under various programmes, it said.

In their cases, the matter reached the State Information Commission of Manipur which ordered the disclosure of information along with issuing show cause notice for initiating penalty provisions under the RTI Act.

Based on certain information obtained by them, complaints were also filed to the office of the Lokayukta, Manipur for seeking inquiry into allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds, NCPRI continued.

"As a result of these endeavours to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of public funds, the four have reportedly been threatened and intimidated by the NSCN (I-M) to withdraw their applications.

The intimidation has allegedly been happening since March 2020 .

As per accounts shared by local residents, there have been attempted abductions of these RTI users and also of others from their villages who spoke out in their support," the petition said further.

Citing media reports, NCPRI recounted that Inoch was abducted by the NSCN (I-M) in January and allegedly tortured for several days.

Reportedly, Johnson and Bejamin are hiding at Imphal "while the others are residing at their village though under some form of enforced house arrest," it added.

NCPRI then urged the MHA to immediately take appropriate action to ensure the safety, security and well-being of the four RTI users of Manipur and to ensure that common people are able to exercise their fundamental right to information without fear of reprisal.

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