Death in AR custody:: Wife compensated after 17 years of husband's death
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 19 2013: In one of the numerous cases of extra-judicial execution by security forces in the State, the widow of S Paisho of Huishu Village in Ukhrul district, who was allegedly killed by personnel of 20th Assam Rifles on March 11, 1996 at Ukhrul, was finally compensated with Rs.2.5 lakhs after 17 years of legal fight.

However, the Counsel of petitioner S Kahaowon (deceased's wife) claimed that the failure of State Police in filing charge-sheets against the security personnel involved in the killing led to their acquittal.

According to the deceased's wife Kahaowon, some cadres of NSCN (IM) attacked the 20th Assam Rifles Post at Huisho Village, Ukhrul at about 3 am on March 11, 1996 .

As there was no alternative her husband Paisho (sector leader of VVF) along with the family members and some other villagers proceeded towards Poi VVF Camp for safety.

However, they were apprehended by the Assam Rifles personnel led by one Captain GK Sharma on their way at Shorok paddy field about one kilometre to the east of their village.

All arrested persons including Paisho were blinded folded and forced to walk in front of the Assam Rifles personnel.

One of the personnel placed his Light Machine Gun (LMG) upon Paisho's shoulder making him as a human shield and fired indiscriminately towards the main housing site of Huishu Village.

More than 100 houses were destroyed in the firing.

The homeless villagers were detained inside the local church by the AR personnel and were subjected to third degree torture, she recalled.

Kahaowon went on to narrate her husband's ordeal and said that at around noon of the same day, Paisho was taken away by some five/six personnel towards east of their camp and forced him to shout "Don't Kill Indian Army" against the NSCN (IM).

He was later dragged from the camp and shot with two/three bullets on his chest and other parts of his body.

Paisho died on the spot.

A case with FIR No.7(3), 1996 was taken up by Chingai Police Station in connection with the incident.

Aggrieved Kahaowon filed a case CR No.340 of 1998 to Gauhati High Court, and subsequently an inquiry was conducted by the District and Session Judge, Manipur East in which five witnesses were examined in favour of the deceased and nine witnesses including Major GK Sharma and Captain Ajoy Kumar were examined in favour of the Assam Rifles.

On July 20, 2006, the Gauhati High Court passed an order to give Rs.3 lakhs as compensation to the petitioner Kahaowon.

The petitioner again approached the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Ukhrul district under No.Original (Damage) Suit No.5 of 2008/04/2011 for payment of damages against the same respondents and the same cause of action.

After hearing both parties, the Civil Judge issued a decree for awarding a compensation of Rs.2.5 lakhs to the petitioner.

Accordingly, the compensation amount was deposited by the Union of India through Home Secretary in the second week of June, 2013 recently.

Advocate R Daniel was the counsel of the petitioner.

Kahaowon is still disheartened by the conduct of the Assam Rifles who did not allow her to cover the lifeless body of her husband with her shawl.

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