Father informs UN's agency about missing daughter
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 29 2014:
Besides informing the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance of the United Nations about the disappearance of a hearing and speech impaired child, Laishram Amuthoi, father of L Surmila, has sought the cooperation of all concerned in tracing his 10-year old daughter.
Meanwhile, a team of activists including the Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee, Bishnupur, Pishak; Secretary of WAD, Sobita Mangsatabam; Basantakumar of HRA accompanied by media persons met Amuthoi at his residence at Chandonpokpi village of Borayangbi GP under Kumbi PS in Bishnupur district today.
The team met family members of the missing child and locals.
The team also inspected the place where Surmila reportedly went missing.
A team of Kumbi PS personnel led by its OC and 2nd OC also came to the village.
It has been reported that Laishram Surmila went missing while going to herd domesticated cattle of the family at Morok Hingol on Jan 22 around 3.30pm.On getting the information, locals launched a frantic search to trace Surmila.
As the search proved futile, a missing report was filed at Kumbi PS on Jan 24 .
Chandonpokpi is located around 65 kilometres South of Imphal.
Most of the villagers relocated themselves at the nearby place after their homesteads and agriculture land were submerged by water following the construction of Ithai Barrage.
The village, which is located at the bank of Manipur River, lies adjacent to Dimpi Reserve Forest Range of Churachandpur district and Thoubal district.
It has also been said that the area is used as transit point by many UG groups of the State.
The main occupation of most male members of the village is collecting fire woods from the nearby jungles of adjoining districts.
The parents of Surmila are engaged in farming besides taking up seasonal occupations while the brothers and sisters of Surmila are also engaged in firewood collection in the jungles.
On the day when Surmila was reported missing, all her siblings went to collect fire woods while her expecting mother was on bed rest.
In his representation to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance, L Thoiba expressed his strong suspicion that his daughter might have been another victim of rape, rape and murder, trafficking of children, etc which are prevalent in the State.
A JAC formed in connection with the missing had earlier alleged police apathy in the case.
Although a missing report was filed on Jan 22, the Kumbi police only came to the house of Surmila for investigation on Jan 24, the JAC had said.
OC of Kumbi PS told the visiting team and the villagers that searches were conducted at various places in and around Chandonpokpi.
Movement of vehicles in the area has been strictly monitored following the missing report besides relaying the report to all PS of the State.
Utilisation of police force for Republic Day security and law and order related duty, meagre allotment of fuel to the PS and sensitivity of the area under its jurisdiction are some deterrent factors cited by the 2nd OC for the alleged lapse.
Secretary of WAD said that police personnel are giving more importance on maintaining the law and order.
The police neglected to trace missing persons.
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