MHRC hears petitions
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 04 2023:
Two petitions alleging physical assaults by security forces have been filed with the Manipur Human Rights Commission prompting it to direct both the Superintendents of Police of Imphal East and Imphal West to submit status reports.
The petitions detailing physical assaults on civilians at their respective houses at Khurai Thangjam Leikai and Kakwa Sofa Leirak were heard by a division bench of the MHRC comprising Justice UB Saha and Member KK Singh.
The petitions alleged that in the afternoon of September 19, some Assam Rifles personnel entered the house of Thounaojam Nonichand (60) at Khurai Thangjam Leikai in Imphal East on the pretext of dispersing a crowd (bandh supporters) on Imphal-Ukhrul road near Khurai Ahongei.
At that time, Nonichand and his 25-year-old physically challenged son were watching TV.
The personnel of the CAPF allegedly started assaulting Nonichand and his son.
The physical assault must have lasted about 10 minutes, due to which the father and the son sustained severe injuries.
Both were taken to a hospital, claimed the complainant.
In another case, on September 21 at around 4.30 pm, around 30 personnel of Rapid Action Force (RAF) entered a house at Kakwa Laishram Leikai Sofa Leirak under Singjamei police station, Imphal East.
The RAF personnel allegedly searched every nook and corner of the house and checked Sunila's ailing bedridden husband.
The RAF personnel also checked the mobile phone that he was holding.
His mother-in-law showed some medical documents and told the RAF personnel that he was a sick person.
Thereafter, the RAF went to another room of the house.
Sunila who came out after cleaning utensils at the time was then allegedly assaulted by the RAF personnel using an "electric shock baton", claimed the petition.
The RAF personnel also broke down the door of a house belonging to one Laishram Ibechaobi of Kakwa Laishram Leikai Sofa Leirak.
After hearing the petitions, the Commission directed both the SPs of Imphal East and Imphal West district to submit status reports.
Meanwhile, the MHRC heard another case filed by one student leader Sukham Bidyananda, who alleged he was assaulted by escorts of IGP (Zone-I) Themthing Ngahangva when he was returning home during curfew hours.
Despite possessing a valid curfew pass, he was allegedly assaulted by the escorts of the IGP, said Sukham Bidyananda in his complaint to the MHRC.
The MHRC disposed of the case by directing the DGP Manipur to enquire regarding the allegation and provide the findings to the complainant.