NSCN (IM) threatening information seekers: NCPRI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 15 2021: Working committee member of National Campaign for Peoples' Right to Information (NCPRI) Wahengbam Joykumar has categorically stated that NSCN (IM) cadres who threatened 4 RTI activists who sought details of the developmental fund allocated for Senapati by the State Government are still at large.

Briefing media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Joykumar said that the four persons viz P Johnson Samo, SP Benjamin, Kh Inoch and PR Amose from Senapati sought details of the fund allocated for taking up developmental works at 4 Autonomous District Councils of Senapati in 2020 and the work progress under RTI.

The NSCN (IM) leaders who threatened the RTI activists are leaders of the outfit Shepoumaramth region namely KV Sounii, Puni Mao and Rotter, he claimed.

Continuing that the RTI activists are currently taking shelter at Imphal, he added that the case was transferred to Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as the ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre doesn't cover Manipur.

Reportedly, a complaint was registered with NHRC on May 15 this year in connection with the threat.

When approached by the MHRC, the Home Department of Manipur responded that the matter is in the jurisdiction of the Centre as it involves NSCN (IM), he asserted.

Lauding the MHRC for directing the authority concerned to shift the RTI activists to a safer place within two weeks, Joykumar sought support from the CSOs to quell such a threat.

Saying that the threat will exist as long as the NSCN (IM) leaders from Shepoumaramth region are not arrested, Joykumar claimed that the lives of the RTI activists are still at stake as town commanders of the outfit are stationed in the valley too.

Denouncing the Government for not taking actions against the intimidators till date, Joykumar alleged that the NSCN (IM) is regularly threatening RTI users from hill districts.

Though the ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre doesn't cover Manipur, there are barracks of the outfit at Chandel, Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong etc with not less than 200 cadres, he claimed and added that the State Government is not able to do anything though the outfit randomly threatens and even loot the populace of hill districts.

He then urged the State Government to nab those who indulge in criminal activities at hill districts by using Central forces and Assam Rifles.

Joykumar also urged all the leaders concerned to file RTI instead of propagating that hill districts are being ignored.

It is reported that a complaint has also been submitted to the Home Ministry, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Assam Rifles IGAR (South) and Director General of Police (DGP) regarding the threat.

Comment