Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 05:
Two persons who were allegedly tortured by Assam Rifles personnel after being picked up from their Sekmai residences have filed separate writ petitions before the Gauhati High Court, imphal Bench against 'excesses' committed by the paramilitary force.
The victim duo Khwairakpam Dharma Singh (48) s/o (L) Kh Phor Singh and another of his neighbour Kh manojit Singh (20) s/o Kh Maijao of Awang Sekmai Makha Leikai were reportedly picked up by personnel of 4 AR on july 7 night without issuing arrest memo.
It may be mentioned that soon after the matter was published in State dailies Army authorities had denied torture allegations.
According to the petitions, they were severely tortured by the security team at their camp located in the erstwhile Manipur Spinning Mill complex, Loitang Khunou.
While Manojit was handed back to his family the next morning after obtaining acknowledgement signature from the local meira paibis, Dharma was handed over to Sekmai police station on the same day at around 4 pm, the petitions mentioned adding that at the time of Dharma's hand-over to the State police, a paper purported to be arrested memo was handed over to him.
It further contended that Dharma's signature was extracted thrice on different papers before being handed over to the police station even as the victim petitioner claimed in the court application that he was ignorant of the papers' contents as the AR troopers did not explain it.
After examination at the sekmai Community Health Centre Dharma is said to have been released by the police as well.
Stating that they are innocent civilians, the two petitioners prayed before the Court to direct the respondents including the Centre and AR authorities to pay Rs 1 lakh each as compensation for torturing them.
They also urged the Court for issuing directions to the State police authorities to do the needful against the errant AR personnel.
According to the torture victims' counsel advocate M Rakesh the case might be taken up by the court for hearing soon.