Rights twist to Army jawan's court martial

IMPHAL, March 17: An Army havildar, who had once tried to stop Assam Rifles personnel from dragging a minor boy away from his house, is likely to face court martial on charges of obstructing operational activities. But the issue threatens to snowball into a major controversy as the September 1999 incident has been taken up by the National Human Rights Commission. Havildar Bhorot Singh, a resident of Heirok village in Thoubal district, was serving in the ninth battalion of the Assam regiment at the time of the incident. He is now attached to the 14 battalion of the National Cadet Corps here as an instructor. In September, 1999 the havildar saw Assam Rifles personnel dragging I. Ingobi - the son of his neighbour- while on his way to work. As the boy was unable to communicate with the securitymen either in Hindi or English, his mother rushed to Bhorot Singh for help. The havildar flashed his identity card and approached the major who was commanding the Assam Rifles troops. But instead of listening to Bhorot Singh, the major snatched his identity card and assaulted him. Two more Assam Rifles jawans joined their officer in beating up Singh. The havildar's wife subsequently lodged a complaint with the state Human Rights Commission and sought "appropriate" action against the major and the jawans. Following an inquiry, the case was referred to the National Human Rights Commission. Sources said the Army authorities have charged the havildar with obstructing the operational activities of the Assam Rifles. Bhorot Singh is currently lodged at the Assam Rifles headquarters in Kangla Fort for a court martial. Sources said Bhorot Singh may lose his job or be demoted. In her complaint filed with the Manipur Human Rights Commission, Bhorot Singh's wife said the major had accused her husband of harbouring ties with militants. She said her husband was assaulted for trying to prevent the Assam Rifles jawans from beating up the minor boy. Army authorities have reportedly taken a serious note of the major's report while deciding the havildar's fate. Assam Rifles is a para-military force under the operational command of the Army, but it is under the administrative control of Union home ministry. Majority of the officers in Assam Rifles are Army officers, who are on deputation.