Imphal: The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has asked the Manipur police to consider probe into the incident involving 4 young Tangkhul girls of Ukhrul District’s Namrei village who were assaulted by unruly mob on their way to Bir Tikendrajit Airport, Imphal on May 24.
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In an order on Wednesday, June 7, MHRC chairperson, Justice Utpalendu Bikash Saha and member KK Singh responding to a complaint petition (Case No.44/14/15/2023) filed by one M. Madhavi Devi of Bokajan, Assam on behalf of the 4 young Tangkhul girls, where it was complained that the girls after being “dragged out of vehicle where they were riding, some individual also tore their cloths, bags including inner wears.”
“It is a fit case for issuing notice to the SP, Imphal West and OC, Singjamei/OC Imphal Police Station and also to ask for status report from SP, Imphal West as well as OC, Singjamei Police Station/OC, Imphal Police Station,” the MHRC said in its order.
Related news | Ak. Jhalajit Singh’s (IPS) Office regrets May 24 press note; TNL to take action
The order also requested the state Director General of Police (DGP), Rajiv Singh to look into the matter and see to the “complaint petition and make an arrangement so that the investigation of the case can be done by an officer of SP level.
The MHRC order also directed Rajiv Singh for registration of FIR, if not registered by the time of the order. “If any FIR case is registered, then the same may be investigated by an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police; the police personnel may consider either to meet with the victims or to register a Suo-Moto case considering the nature of incidents,” added Justice Utpalendu Bikash Saha in its order.
Related news | One of the 4 Tangkhul victims narrates May 24 ordeal along Imphal’s Kwakeithel Airport road
Further, the MHRC in the order asked the SP and OC Imphal Police Stations to submit their respective status report on or before June 11, 2023.
It is worth noting that the complainant, M. Madhavi Devi had filed the case on the following day of the incident on May 25 itself. The complaint petition had asked the Commission to direct the SP, Imphal West and OC of Singjamei/Officer-in-Charge of Imphal Police Station to immediately register an FIR under most appropriate sections of Indian Penal Code and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 against the individuals who assaulted those 4 (four) Tangkhul girls.
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Following the incident, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of the Tangkhul tribe vehemently condemned the Kwakeithel incident. The president of TNL David A Shimray in a press briefing squarely rejected and condemned the press note of AK. Jhalajit Singh, IPS and vowed to settle the issue through Tangkhul customary law and practice of the Tangkhul tribe.
On the other hand, Ak. Jhalajit Singh IPS who confused the public with unfounded press note on May 24 (Thursday), claiming that no such incident occurred on the particular route to the international airport, rubbished the claims of the 4 Tangkhul girls as rumour. AK. Jhalajit Singh the following day regrated May 24 (Wednesday) press note, adding that his office will be more careful while preparing any such sensitive press note in the future.
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