Imphal, October 05: Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has asked the State DGP for taking up prompt action and submit a report on the Karang Operation being launched by the army since the night of October 3 Karang Island located on Loktak lake in Bishnupur district.

Acting on a complaint petition filed by secretary general of Universal Education and Well Being for Human Rights and Development, the Commission headed by Justice WA Shishak also asked the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur District to submit a report as regards to allegations of violation of human rights as a result of the army operation.

�We are particularly concerned about the protection of life and property of the civilian population�, the Commission said, while directing that the reports should be submitted before it on October 10.The complaint petition noted that journalists and local MLA Salam Ibohal were not even allowed to have access to Karang in order to meet the civilian population.

The complaint petition further alleged that there are as many as 3000 people on the island and they have been confined and their fate not known.

The petition sought the intervention of MHRC by communicating with the authority to allow human rights activists, local MLA, medical personnel and journalists access to the spot for assessment and giving necessary humanitarian aid to the civilians.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Fishermen, Manipur State Unit has urged the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to make arrangement for grant of essential commodities freely to the people of Karang on humanitarian ground.

There is no road communication except by boat-ways for the poor people Karang fishing village and they have been suffering from lack of essential commodities following the army operation, Ex-Minister and president of the Association H Kangjamba Singh said in a memorandum send to the Union Minister today.

Handed over: Army reportedly handed over two elderly persons to the police today after the yesterday�s operation at Karang island under Moirang Police Station.

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