NSCN scouting for 4 RTI activists: Home Ministry told
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 10 2021: Movement for People's Rights Forum, Manipur has written to Union Home Ministry urging to help 4 RTI activists who are currently being hunted by NSCN-IM for raising questions over the funds sanctioned by the central government for developmental works in Senapati District.

According to the written request submitted by Forum convenor Gonmei Kuripou and publicity and information secretary Simon Kamei, NSCN-IM recently issued a notice threatening to kill the four RTI activists from Shep-oumaramth region of Senapati district.

Since then, 3 of the activists namely P Johnson Samo of Taphou Phayamai village, SP Benjamin of Ngari Raidulomai and PR Amose of Khabung Khunou fled to Imphal in March 2020 and have been in hiding till date.

The fourth activist Kh Inoch of Phaibung village has been staying in the village under house arrest.

Manipur is lagging behind in development in comparison to other states of the country.

As such, the central government had sanctioned huge funds through the state government for its development.

The funds are then disbursed through the ADCs in case of the hill districts.

However, many people have misused the funds for their own selfish interests.

Thus, as citizens of the country, some have filed RTI queries to ascertain the whereabouts of the funds.

In this context, four RTI activists had filed an RTI application enquiring about the utilisation of central funds provided various developmental works in Senapati District.

However, the activists were abducted by NSCN-IM and threatened to withdraw the application or face death.

Although the state government was informed of the matter, no action has been taken up till date.

In this regard, National Campaign for People's Right had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah but here too, no action has been taken up.

Amid this, on July 20, the 3 activists were contacted on their mobile phones and threatened to surrender to the NSCN-IM or face the consequences before the resolution of the cases.

The 3 activists firmly believed that they will be slain by the outfit once the curfew imposed over Covid-19 is lifted.

Thus, the Forum appealed to the central government to initiate strict action against NSCN-IM and further prevent the outfit from restricting the RTI applications.

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