Imphal, January 20: The Manipur Human Rights Commission has today asked the DGP to submit a detailed report on the assault of Assistant Editor of Matamgi Yakairol, N Hemanta by IRB personnel in the night of January 18 near Loklaobung.

The rights panel headed by Yambem Laba took up a suo-moto MHRC case based on reports published in all the State dailies.

Hemanta received severe injuries when personnel of 3rd IRB assaulted him at about 9 pm on January 18 while he was returning home after duty.

The journalist was assaulted even though he produced the curfew pass issued by the District Magistrate and had identified himself.

While issuing the notices, the rights panel noted that this is the third case of assault of journalists that has come before the Commission and added that in all the cases the assault took place after the identities of the journalists were established.

The rights panel further said that it views the matter very seriously and added that such instances need to be checked immediately.

The assault also meant that the IRB personnel chose not to recognize the civil authority of the State as well.

MHRC asked the DGP to submit a detailed report on the matter including the list of IRB personnel directly involved in the incident.

The report is to reach the Commission by January 30.It fixed the next day for further proceedings.

Mention may be made here that six IRB personnel involved in the assault and one Sub-Inspector have been placed under suspension.

In another case the rights panel today issued a reminder to the DGP in connection with the arrest of one Sarangthem Jayanta Meitei alias Jayantakumar by a combined team of AR personnel and civil police commandos at noon on January 16 near Uripok Cheirap Court without issuing any arrest memo.

Jayanta, son of S Chaoba of Hiyangthang Maning Leikai was apprehended along with one Bajaj Calibre, according to a complaint petition filed by Chaoba.

On January 18 the Commission asked the DGP to locate the whereabouts of Jayanta within 24 hours and fixed January 20 for further proceedings.

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