The Manipur High Court has directed the state government to submit an Action Taken Report by Monday on the alleged abduction of six Naga villagers from Kangpokpi district.
Imphal, June 4: The Manipur High Court on Thursday directed the state government to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) by Monday on the alleged abduction of six Naga villagers from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district, whose whereabouts remain unknown more than three weeks after they reportedly went missing.
The direction was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice M. Sundar and Justice Ahanthem Bimol while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in connection with the case.
According to advocate Julius Riamai, who addressed the media after the hearing, the PIL was filed by the president of the Naga Lawyers Association, Manipur. The petition concerns six Naga individuals who were allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13. Riamai said that despite the passage of more than 20 days, there is no information regarding their whereabouts.
"Nobody knows whether they are safe, whether they are alive or dead," Riamai said while explaining the circumstances that led to the filing of the PIL.
During the hearing, the court directed the Manipur government to place on record the actions taken so far in connection with the case. According to Riamai, the bench specifically instructed that the Action Taken Report be filed by the Chief Secretary of Manipur.
The development comes amid questions over the status of the investigation into the alleged abduction.
Riamai said the Manipur government had earlier stated through a press release that the case had been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). However, he told reporters that during Thursday's hearing, the Deputy Solicitor General of India informed the court that the NIA had not yet received any communication from the state government regarding the matter.
According to Riamai, this submission was recorded by the High Court in its order.
"The Deputy Solicitor General for India made a statement in the court that the NIA is yet to receive any intimation from the state government till today," he said.
The court's direction seeks clarification on the steps taken by the state authorities since the alleged abduction was reported. The matter is expected to come up again after the government submits its report.
The case has drawn attention amid continuing concerns over security and law and order in parts of the state affected by ethnic tensions.
Riamai said the petition was prepared with the assistance of legal aid counsel Archmull, whom he described as having provided effective support in pursuing the matter before the court.
The High Court is expected to review the Action Taken Report when the matter is taken up on June 8.
