Manipur govt unable to file report on refugee status

Imphal, Apr 1 (UNI) The Manipur chief secretary has failed to comply with the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) directive to file a report on the issue of displacement of Hmar community of Tipaimukh sub-division, the Human Rights Alert (HRA) has charged.

The MHRC yesterday again directed the chief secretary to furnish the report on or before April 28.

The Human Rights Alert, Hmar Students' Association and others have demanded proper rehabilitation and restoring the livelihood of the villagers.

Meanwhile, the Government has constituted a one man commission under Justice S P Rajkhowa, retired Judge, Calcutta High Court, under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952.

The HRA said it failed to understand why the government will constitute an inquiry commission incurring lakhs of rupees from the state exchequer, if they are not even willing to cooperate with the fact finding process of the MHRC by furnishing a simple report.

Officials said a high level team had already gone to Mizoram to meet the refugees and the Manipur Government had announced to meet all the expenses incurred in looking after the refugees who were at Sakawrdai camp, Mizoram.

UNI NS KK CH DS1530