Imphal, June 12: The Gauhati High Court has issued notices to the Army authorities in connection with the shoot out near a Church at Churachandpur in August 2005 allegedly by Army personnel killing one Church leader and injuring five locals.

Justice UB Shah, in his Imphal Bench sitting, issued the notices to the respondents on June 8 following a writ petition filed by one S Ninjam (50), father of deceased S Thawang-khanlian of Vengnuam at New Lamka.

A large number of locals including the deceased and the injured ones were thronging at the local Church (Evangelical Baptist Church) to join their Sunday prayer when they heard gunshots at around 6.45 pm of August 20 last year, case dossiers said.

After a few seconds, three vehicles belonging to 3 Raj Rifles proceeded towards the eastern side of the Church and beforelong the occupants of the vehicles made indiscriminate firings toward the crowd killing Thawangkhanlian at the spot and injuring five others including \ one woman.

Later the deceased's sister lodged a complaint on the matter with the Churachandpur Police Station, the dossiers said, adding that subsequently the writ petition was filed by the deceased's father.

The writ petition, primarily, prayed before the Court to issue a direction to the Army authorities to pay Rs 10 lakhs as compensation to the petitioner.

Having heard both the parties, the Court issued notices to the respondents Union of India represented by Secretary, Ministry of Defence, CO 3 RR and State represented by Home Commissioner making them returnable within four weeks.

Advocate Serto T Kom appeared on behalf of the petitioner.

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