Correspondent
IMPHAL, JUN 4: The High Court of Manipur on Thursday directed the Manipur government to submit an action taken report by latest on Monday (June 8) regarding the disappearance of six Liangmai Naga men after they were abducted by armed Kuki miscreants.
Interestingly, during the hearing of the petition on Thursday, the deputy solicitor general India informed the court that the NIA was yet to take over the case pending official intimation regarding the matter.
Of the 18 Liangmai (Naga) members detained by the Kuki miscreants at Leilon (Vaiphei) village in Kangpokpi district on May 13 last, the whereabouts of six of them remained untraceable till date. The High Court of Manipur on Thursday conducted the hearing to a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed before the court seeking urgent judicial intervention in connection with the disappearance of the six civilians. The PIL was filed by advocate Mark Khapai, president of the Naga Lawyers’ Association, Manipur, in view of the growing uncertainty surrounding the fate and whereabouts of the six missing individuals and amid the widespread protests seeking safe rescue of the missing persons.
While asserting that the missing of six persons raised serious concerns regarding their safety and security, the petitioners demanded necessary immediate intervention on the part of the state government.
The PIL further sought directions to the state and the Central governments, as well as relevant security agencies, to intensify efforts to trace the missing individuals, ascertain their whereabouts, and secure their safe release at the earliest.
After hearing the petition, the court directed the state government to submit the details on what action has been taken up regarding the missing of the six persons. The respondents of the case –Manipur chief secretary, commissioner (home), DGP of Manipur police, SP of Kangpokpi district, SP of NIA Imphal branch and chief of Leilon (Vaiphei) village Lalboi Vaiphei – have to furnish the action taken report by June 8 at the latest, the court directed.
On the other hand, even as the state government, in a recent press release to the media informed that the case has been handed over to the NIA, the deputy solicitor general India informed the court that the NIA was yet to receive official intimation regarding the handing over the case to the investigative agency.
The same revelation of the deputy solicitor general India has been recorded in the order of the court, advocate D Julius Raimei, the counsel of the petitioner told the reporters after today’s hearing.
He said that in a recent press release, the state government had stated that the case has been handed over to the NIA.
The NIA is also a party of the case and the deputy solicitor general of India who appeared in the court on behalf of the NIA categorically stated the court that “NIA is yet to receive intimation from the state government (regarding the handing over the case to NIA) till date.”
“The statement has also been recorded by the court,” he said.
The filing of the PIL and the subsequent court hearing on the PIL came amid escalating public outcry pressing the state government to address the issue.
Exerting the pressure further, leaders and members of the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) today met the families of the missing persons at Makhan (Naga) village in Kangpokpi district where they are taking shelter at relief camp.
The ANSAM team came from Ukhrul via Imphal to reach the Makhan.
The visit came a day after the student body decided to intensify pressure on the government to establish the whereabouts of the six missing persons, in an emergency assembly convened at Ukhrul district headquarters on June 3, hosted by the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS).
The assembly adopted a series of resolutions which included among others to boycott the government of Manipur until the fate of the six missing Naga members is established.
The ANSAM had taken the decision to launch intensified democratic agitations following the expiry of its ultimatum to the Manipur government regarding the six missing persons.
Thursday’s visit to Makhan village was also a part of the decision adopted in the assembly.
The assembly also reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing democratic and peaceful means until the six hostages are safely reunited with their families.