Imphal, January 30: Acting on a writ alleging extra judicial killing of a youth by Assam Rifles in October last year, the Gauhati High Court has today issued notice of motion to the Government respondents.

Justices BK Sharma and K Meruna, in their division bench sitting at Imphal issued the notices to the Secretary Ministry of Defence, Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs, GOC 57 Mountain Division, CO 34 Assam Rifles, State Principal Secretary (Home), DGP and SP Imphal East asking them to reply within six weeks.

The petition alleged that Sagolsem Vikram Singh (22) s/o Koroba Singh of Keirao Bitra Awang Leikai was gunned downed by personnel of 34 Assam Rifles while he was staying at his wife�s parental house at Nongbrang Village on October 3 last year.

Sagolsem Ongbi Latani Devi, wife of the deceased Vikram is the writ petitioner.

The petition further said that in 2004 Vikram was arrested by the police on the false charge of being a member of the banned PLA and detained under National Security Act for one year.

After his release, he married Latani and the couple stayed at the parental house of Latani at Nongbrang village under Yairipok Police Station where they engaged in quarry work along Thoubal river to for livelihood, said Advocate Meihoubam Rakesh of Imphal Unit of Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), appearing on behalf of the petitioner.

At around 3 am of October 3 last year, troopers of 34 Assam Rifles picked up Vikram from his wife�s residence without issuing any arrest memo, the Advocate said, adding that no incriminating articles were also seized from his possession.

Thereafter, the security personnel took Vikram along the bank of Thoubal river, about 50 metre from the house and shot him dead without any justification, the petition alleged.

The Assam Rifles then lodged a false report to the Yairipok Police contending that Vikram was killed in a gun fight and that a pistol was recovered from his possession.

The act of the AR personnel amounts to violation of right to life enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution, the petition said while praying before the Court to punish the guilty personnel and issue an order to the respondents for payment of adequate compensation to the petitioner.

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