Asian Centre for Human Rights

I am writing to seek intervention of the National Human Rights Commission against the torture of the Secretary of Duangailong (Komlathabi) Village Authority, Mr Mei-buanlung Gangmei and other villagers of Duangailong village under Nungba sub-division in Tamenglong district of Manipur on 11 June 2003.

On the night of 11 June 2003, a combined force of 44 Batallion Gorkha Rifles and 35 Bn Assam Rifles based at Tupul and Noney respectively raided the Duangailong (Komlathabi) village under Nungba sub-division in Tamenglong district of Manipur on the pretext of conducting search operation.

During the operation, a large number of villagers were subjected to severe torture. The security personnel did not even spare women folks. Chairman of Duangailong (Komlathabi) Village Authority Mr Gaikam Kamei stated that even his wife and daughter were assaulted by the Gorkha Rifles and Assam Rifles. He himself has been having breathing problem after he suffered a fall while running to escape from the clutch of the army personnel, who accused him of being a sympathizer of underground activities. It was obvious that he would have been killed, had the security personnel caught him during the raid, he alleged.

The secretary of the Village Authority, Mei-buanlung Gangmei was tortured badly and his fore tooth has been dislocated. The security personnel also burnt down the house and all the properties belonging to one Janailung.

Besides, assaulting the poor villagers, the security personnel have also taken away a total sum of Rs 12,000 from the village along with clothes, daos, torch, shoes and 30 litres of diesel.

I shall be grateful if the NHRC could kindly intervene by taking the following measures:

1. Direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct a full inquiry into the torture of Mr Mei-buanlung Gangmei and other villagers and submit the report to the NHRC within six weeks;

2. Direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to take exemplary disciplinary action against the guilty Assam Rifles and Gorkha Rifles personnel;

3. Direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to pay compensation of Rs 50,000 to Mr Mei-buanlung Gangmei and other victims and the same is recovered from the concerned Assam Rifles personnel;

4. Direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to pay adequate compensation to Mr Janailung for burning down his house;

5. Direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that the Assam Rifles and Gorkha Rifles personnel return the money and the goods taken away from the villagers; and

6. Take any other measure that the NHRC deems fit.

Looking forward to your kind intervention.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely

Suhas Chakma
Director