Imphal, June 04 2010: A Division Bench of Gauhati High Court has given 10 days' time to the Manipur Police to produce the president of All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), David Choro.

A ruling to this effect was issued today following assurance given by DGP Y Joykumar that effective steps would be taken up to produce David Choro before the Court on June 16 .

The DGP gave the assurance before the Court that all possible steps including declaring David Choro a proclaimed offender and a wanted person with a prize on his head would be taken up within a week.

A Division Bench comprising of Justice TNK and Mutum BK Singh issued the ruling after hearing a writ petition.

The Court also asked Senior Government Advocate Th Ibohal to report to the Court about the action taken by the DGP.

It further instructed Central Government Standing Counsel C Komal to report the steps and actions taken up by the National Highway Authority.

The petition filed by RK Joysana mentioned that ANSAM imposed the indefinite economic blockade on both NH-39 and NH-53 from April 6 demanding amendment of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (3rd Amendment) Act 2008 .

Due to the blockade, essential commodities have become quite scarce in Manipur leading to sharp increase in the prices.

The petitioner contended that resorting to highway blockades in pursuit of some demands from the Govt was illegal.

The indefinite blockade is anti-national and is an act of terrorism which challenges the right to life of all citizens of Manipur, it asserted.

Advocate M Hemchandra appeared on behalf of the petitioner.

Earlier hearing the case on May 13, the Court asked the DGP to give explanation for failure of the State Police to produce David Choro.

It also asked as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated.

In response, the DGP produced show cause statement before the Court on June 2.Respondents listed in the case the Union of India (represented by the Union Home Secretary), the Chief Secretary, DGP, IGP (L/O), IGP (Intelligence) and ANSAM (represented by David Choro).