Imphal, November 25: A division bench of the Gauhati High Court, Principal Seat has issued notices to the respondents on an appeal filed by the Assam Rifles challenging the earlier ver-dict of the case of Thangjam Manorama Devi.

The notices were issued on Tuesday to the listed respondents which include the State of Manipur, a delayed report reaching here said.

Assam Rifles filed the appeal challenging the June 23 verdict passed by Justice D Biswas maintaining that the AR men be punished if found guilty by the C Upendra Commission set up by the State Government to probe into the facts and circumstances leading to the death of the 32-year old Manorama of Bamon Kampu Mayai Leikai.

The multiple-bullet riddled body of manorama was found near Leipharok maring village in Imphal East in the morning of July 11, 2004 after she had been picked by the troopers of 17 Assam Rifles from here residence the previous night.

The State Government had also filed an appealed challenging the same portion of the June 23 ruling at Imphal Bench but the matter was transferred to the Principal Seat.