AHRC concerned
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 07 2011: The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has expressed concern over the case of alleged arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of assistant publicity secretary of proscribed RPF Gurumayum Jiteshwar alias GM Changjou alias Gypsy (49) s/o of Gurumayum Goshai Sharma of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, Imphal.

In an urgent appeal, the Commission has demanded the Government of India and its related authorities to register the complaint filed by the mother of Gypsy, the statement of the victim's immediate relatives, like his wife, who might have probably witnessed the abduction be recorded, to direct the Assam Rifles to disclose where they have the custody of the man and his family be informed about the progress of the investigation in the case.

In its urgent appeal, the Commission noted that it has been reported that officers from the Assam Rifles, an India Paramilitary unit and persons associated with NSCN (IM) arrested Gypsy on August 18 at about 7 pm from his residence located at Dunkan Basti, Dimapur in Nagaland.

At the time of the arrest, Gypsy was not informed why he was being taken into custody, or where he will be taken.

Neither were any relatives of the victim informed about the arrest.

Since then, the family does not know the whereabouts of the victim.

It is also reported that the family members were not informed whether the victim would be produced in a court as required by law or handed over to the civilian police within the time prescribed in law, the urgent appeal of the Commission pointed out.

The NSCN (IM) is a political entity operating in the Northeastern States of India, in particular, Manipur and Nagaland, and they do not have any legal mandate to maintain law and order.

NSCN (IM) is a political unit, formerly fighting against the Government, and now after negotiation with the Government, reported to be working with the State security forces, the Commission added.

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