MHRC asks DGP to locate missing persons within 24 hrs

IMPHAL, April 22: The Manipur Human Rights Commission has today given the State DGP DS Grewal, 24 hours to locate the whereabouts of four persons including a woman and her son who are said to have been arrested and flown away by BSF personnel from Hengtam village under Singhat police station from Churachandpur district on April 14. This instruction was given following a complaint filed by Wareppam Manitomba of Tera Loukrakpam Leikai, Imphal. He contended that his younger brother Wareppam Shanou (36) accompanied by Maibam Ongbi Kunjabati Devi (50), her son Maibam Prakash (28) all of same locality and K Sanayaima of Kumbi Leirak Achouba under Kumbi PS had proceed to Hengtam village on April 14 for trade related works. Their whereabouts had been in the dark till report of their arrests appeared in the local newspapers on April 21 and 22 stating that they were arrested from Hengtam after an encounter ensued between underground militants and BSF personnel and later taken away in a BSF helicopter the same day to an unknown destination. The full existing strength of the Commission held an emergency sitting at Paona Bazar in view of the seriousness of the problem despite today being a holiday. In its proceedings, the Commission observed that no arrest memo was given at the time of the arrests nor have they been handed over to police even one week after their arrest. This has given much alarm and worry to the complainant and relatives of the arrested persons about their lives and personal safety. After the sitting, the Commission asked the DGP to ascertain the whereabouts of the persons and to clarify whether they have been handed over to police or not. The DGP has also been provided with copies of today's proceedings, the complaint petition and news reports. The Human Rights has given the DGP the liberty to submit report to any of the members of the Commission at their residences as the MHRC office will be closed tomorrow on account of Khongjom Day.