HC notice to Assam Rifles for occupying hospital

Imphal, Sep 21:The Manipur High Court on Wednesday issued a Notice of Motion to the state government, Assam Rifles and others over continued occupation of a village hospital by the Assam Rifles personnel, leading to denial of medical facilities to the people of 13 villages for the last 22 years.

The notice is returble within three weeks. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by a villager in Sepati district, contending that the personnel of 25 Assam Rifles had occupied the Public Health Sub-Centre at Thonglang Akutpa in Sepati to maintain law & order in the wake of ethnic clashes between the ga and Kuki tribes 22 years ago.

The PIL was filed with active support from the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN). The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Rakesh Ranjan Prasad and Justice S. Serto, took serious note of the denial of medicare to the tribal villagers for the last 22 years and the failure of the government to provide an altertive site for setting up camp to the security personnel. The high court noted that the villagers had to go a long distance for basic medical amenities.

There are some other government buildings in the state, which are also occupied by the security personnel, thereby depriving the people of various facilities. (IANS)