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PERPETRATORS
20 Assam Rifles personnel,
stationed at Somsai, Ukhrul District
CIRCUMSTANCES OF
DISAPPEARANCE
Kaizalal was on leave from
21 December 1989 to 18 February 1990. On expiry of his leave, he could not
report for duty as he was under great mental stress due to the tragic
death of a dear friend. On recovery, Kaizalal approached Mr. T. Thangthuam,
AIG, Manipur Police to write a letter on his behalf describing the reasons
for his delay in reporting to duty. Mr. Thangthuam wrote a letter dated 16
August 1994 to the commandant of the 20 AR. On receipt of the letter the
commandant of 20 AR directed the victim to report to the Bn. Head
Quarters, immediately. Accordingly the victim presented himself to JC
2000651 Naik Subedar Kalam Singh Chaudhary, Officer in charge of the
Transit Camp of 20 AR at Imphal on 17 September 1994 at 5 p.m.
The officer in charge kept
the victim in the transit camp for a while. On 25 July 1994, he was sent
to the Battalion Head Quarter of 20 AR at Somsai, in a departmental
vehicle. On reaching Somsai, Kaizalal reported for duty to his superior
officers including the Commandant of 20 AR. After that, the family lost
contact with him.
SEARCH EFFORTS
Due to the lost of contact,
the victimÕs elder brother requested the officer in charge of the transit
camp to permit him to meet his brother (the victim). The officer in charge
granted him permission vide a letter dated 13 October 1994. However, the
commandant of the 20 AR rejected the permission saying that the victim
never returned from his leave.
The brother made a
representation to the Superintendent of Police, Ukhrul District and to the
Civil Liberties and Human Rights Organisation (CLAHRO) to locate the
whereabouts of the victim. On 12 January 1996, the Commandant of 20 AR
sent a letter to the Under Secretary(Home), Government of Manipur, stating
that the victim had "de-bussed approximately 1 km short of the
Battalion Head Quarter location and change his mind due to fear".
On 16 August 1996, the
mother of the victim filed a writ of Habeas Corpus [Civil Rule (HC)No.
49 of 1996] in the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench.
PRESENT STATUS
At the time of filing this
report, Mr. Kaizalal Paite is still missing and the matter is still
pending in the High Court. CLAHRO is pursuing the case on behalf of the
petitioner. The Government has not taken up any initiative toward
reparation and prosecution of the perpetrators. |
