CBI to probe missing boy in school

Aizawl, July 30: The Mizoram government here has decided to seek the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) help following threats of fast-unto-death by human rights activist protesting disapperance of a two village boy.

Ruatfela Nu, a rights activist, had announced her fast following the government's lack of initiative in gathering information about the whereabouts of three boys who had allegedly been taken away by Lt. Col Kulwant Singh during the year 2000, and posted at the counter-insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairengte village.

''Chief secretary Haukhum Hauzel and DGP Lalngheta Sailo had assured me that the case would be referred to the CBI. As a result of this, I have postponed my agitation indefinitely,'' the activist added.

The boys, identified as Boite, Shillongthanga, and Thangliankhuma, had been enticed by the army office on a monthly salary of Rs 500 to follow him back home in Chandigarh with a promise that they would be inducted into the army when they reach the legal age.

Only Boite has returned home since then and reported that the other two were missing.

The case has been reported to the National Human Rights Commission and following an FIR submitted by the father, and Lt Col Singh, had recently been summoned to Mizoram by the Kolasib district SP under whose jurisdiction Vairengte falls.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee president Lalthanhawla has promised his partymen to bring in the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI to probe into any case as soon as the party comes to power.

Speaking to block leaders at the Congress Bhavan here, Lalthanhawla said Mizoram is the only state where the CBI had not been called in and attributed this to the 'cowadice' of the present ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) leaders.

''Mizoram is the only state where the CBI cannot make its presence felt. The main reason behind this is Chief Minister Zoramthanga,'' he added.

UNI