IT News
Imphal, April 24:
Four RTI Activists – all residents of Senapati district, Manipur, were reported to be in trouble after they sought information through RTI Act. Source close to Imphal Times said that two among the four have been detained in their respective houses while the other two were absconding after they received threat called and intimidation by persons identifying themselves as member of the NSCN-IM which is currently ensuing peace talk with the government of India.
As per information received from a complaint to the State Information Commission by another RTI activist all the four RTI Activists identified as Kh. Inoch S/o Mr.Khulu of Phaibung Village, Senapati District, Manipur Mr. P. Johnson Samo S/O Late Pazii, Taphou Phyamai Village, Senapati District, Manipur Mr. S.P. Benjamin S/o Mr. Simthar of Ngari Raidulomai Village, Senapati District, Manipur and Mr. P.R. Amose S/o Rozii of Khabung Khunou Village, P.O. Karong.
The complaint filed to the Information commissions is being produced below:
Using RTI Act: On 5th November 2019, Mr. Kh. Inoch submitted an application to the State Public Information officer(SPIO)/Chief Executive Officer, ADC, Senapati District, Manipur for seeking certain information regarding the details of development works and fund mean for tribal area implemented in the 17-Phaibung Autonomous District Council under the RTI Act. As he could not get the required information, Mr. Inoch filed a Second Appeal before the Manipur Information Commission after filling First Appeal and hence the Appeal Case No.18 of 2020. After series of hearing, the SPIO has been issued a show cause notice by the Information Commission but instead of giving reply of the notice and providing information, the SPIO has challenged the said show cause notice before the High Court of Manipur and on 21.07.2020, the Information Commission directed the SPIO to give due information along with a fine of Rs.25000/- under RTI Act.
On 28th September 2019, Mr. P.Johnson submitted an application the State Public Information officer/Chief Executive Officer, Autonomous District Council, Senapati District, Manipur for seeking certain information regarding funds sanctioned and execution of different work programmes under various departments implemented in the 16-Phuba Autonomous District Council (ADC) for the years from 2015 to 2019 under RTI Act. Having not getting information, the applicant filed a Second Appeal before the Manipur Information Commission being Appeal Case No.12 of 2020 after 1st Appeal. But instead of providing information as well as the reply of the show cause notice of the Information Commission, the Public Authority has been challenging the said show cause notice before the High Court of Manipur and on 21.07.2020, the SPIO has imposed a fine of Rs.25000/-by the Commission.
On 24th October 2019, Mr. S.P. Benjamin submitted an application to the State Public Information Officer (SPIO)/Deputy Commissioner, Senapati District, Manipur under RTI Act for seeking some information regarding the development works implemented under the award of 13th and 14th Finance Commission in the 16-Phuba, ADC, Senapati District for the year from years from 2015 to till date. The applicant filed a Second Appeal before the Manipur Information Commission being Appeal Case No.13 of 2020 after 1st Appeal.
Thus conducting series of hearings, on 10.07.2021, the Manipur Information Commission has issued a show cause notice to the SPIO for not providing information but instead of proving the reply of the show cause notice and required information, the said show cause notice has been challenged by the public authority before the High Court of Manipur and as such, the SPIO has been imposed of fine of Rs.25000/-and directed to furnish the required information by the Information Commission. Similarly, Mr.P.R. Amose has also submitted an RTI application for seeking information about the development funds of 24-Karong ADC but no information till date as the matter has been challenged before the H.C. All the four RTI applications are pending before the High Court of Manipur till filling this report.
(i) Using Lokayukta: Having not finding the execution of works in the field as well as not getting the information requested under RTI Act, on 14.12.2020, Mr.Kh. Inoch also filed a complaint before the Chairperson, Manipur Lokayukta for investigation of the developments funds mean for 17-Phaibung ADC. Similarly, Mr.P. Johnson Samo and Mr. S.P. Benzamin filed a complaint before the Chairperson, Manipur Lokayukta filing in the Form-I of Rule 15(2) of Manipur Lokayukta Act for investigating the said development works.
Thus, on 05.02.2021, Mr.P.R. Amose also filed a complaint before the Chairperson, Manipur Lokayukta to investigate the development funds mean for citizens as the works have not been executed in the field. All the three complaints are pending before the Lokayukta, Manipur for further investigation till date.
(ii) Human Rights Violation: (a) The above name human right defenders/whistle-blowers have been reportedly threatened and intimidated by the faction of NSCN(I-M) to withdraw their applications through mobile phones as the mobile numbers were indicated in their respective RTI applications and the threatened and intimidation has been started from the month of March 2020.
The Zee News has reported that on 20th January 2020, some cadres of faction of NSCN(I-M) abducted Mr. Enoch and tortured him and kept him for 8 days at some unknown location and pressurised him to withdraw the RTI application and ultimately he forcibly agreed to withdraw his RTI application.
Meanwhile his wife filed a missing report to the Police but it was also reportedly compelled to withdraw and the so called cadres of the NSCN (I-M) faction took a fine of Rs.1.5 lakhs for filling complaint to the police. However, the remaining three applicants could not be abducted by the said Armed Opposition Group because they have been hiding at Imphal.
(b) Getting information of such threatens and intimidations to the above named 4 whistle blowers, 31 villagers of Mr.P. Johnson’s native village have openly supported them and filed 31 RTI application. But the said faction of the NSCN(I-M) abducted one applicant again and threaten him to withdraw all the applications otherwise grievous action and thus all the applicants withdraw their applications.
(c) Further, it is also reported that all the complainants have been threatened and intimidated by the said faction of NSCN(I-M) to withdraw their complaints submitted to Lokayukta otherwise dire consequences. However, they approached the Lokayukta, Manipur to withdraw their complaint but they have been denied. It is logically concluded that the threat and intimidation made by the said outfit is due to instigation by the elected ADC Members in collusion with public authority/Chief Executive Officers. It is learnt that the Four elected ADC Members bribed huge amount of money to the said NSCN (I-M) faction.
(ii) Follow-up:- (I) Now, out of the above named four human right defenders, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Bejamin are reportedly hiding at Imphal and the remaining two namely Mr. Inoch and Mr. Amose are residing in their respectively village like house arrest i.e. they cannot move from their respective villages. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Benjamin could not meet their family members including children and wife for the last 5 months and their jobs for livelihood have also been curtailed by the outfits issuing self style threatened notifications and they have been awaited by the outfit to torture them as and when they return to their village/home.
(II) Nobody of Senapati District can use RTI Act and Lokayulta as banned by the faction of NSCN(I-M) of the area. The citizens have fear psychosis for working on good governance, transparency and anti-corruption
(III) The victims cannot be met because they have serious fear psychosis and this report is filed based on the information collected from the Information Commission, Lokayukta and other reliable sources. (IV) On 8th February 2021, the Chief Information Commissioner of Manipur Information Commissioner instructed to the Director General of Police, Manipur for taking up necessary action for safety and security of the victims but the Manipur Police cannot do anything against the group as they are undergoing with cease fire with GOI through Indian Army.
