Rs 2 lac compensation for enforced disappearance

Imphal, February 26: In a significant ruling a Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court has asked the Centre and the State Government to pay Rs 2 lakhs to the family members of Laishram Bijoykumar who disappeared after he was picked up by Hindi speaking personnel on the intervening night of June 4 and 5, 1996. Laishram Bijoykumar, a resident of Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai and a martial art exponent and social worker disappeared after he was allegedly picked up by Hindi speaking personnel on the said night from his residence. Issuing the ruling, Justices Amitab Roy and IA Ansari asked the Centre to pay Rs 1.5 lakhs while the remaining Rs 50,000 is to be paid by the State Government within two months time. The Court's ruling followed a Habeas Corpus filed by the father of the disappeared man, Laishram Babuchand before the Gauhati High Court. The Court had asked the District and Session Judge to probe the matter. The inquiry report which was submitted before the High Court in 1998 established that Bijoykumar was picked up by security personnel. The listed respondents in the case include the Union of India, represented by the Secretary, Ministry of Defence, 3 Corps, 57 Mountain Division and Government of Manipur represented by the Home secretary and SP , Imphal. Mention may be made here that the inquiry report on the matter was reported lost while it was in the custody of the Gauhati High Court and the CBI was roped in to conduct a probe into the matter. Advocate N Koteshwor appeared in favour of the petitioner.