IMPHAL, May 4 � Hearing of the writ petition filed against the Union of India and others including present Army Vice Chief Lieutenant General Dalbir Singh Suhag, who is said to be the strongest contender for Army Chief�s post, in connection with the alleged extra-judicial killing of three Manipuris in March 2010, is likely to be taken up by the High Court of Manipur here tomorrow, sources said.
The case was filed by Phijam Mani of Imphal in connection with the abduction of his brother Phijam Naobi along with two others � RK Roshan alias Ronald and Th Prem alias Romen from Char Mile area of Dimapur town on March 10, 2010 and subsequent recovery of their bullet- ridden bodies from Lakhijan area under Bokajan police station in Karbi Anglong district about seven days later, on March 17. It is said that the bodies were recovered from a river in that area.
The six respondents in the case are the Defence Ministry, Manipur Government, Nagaland Government, Indian Army headquarters, the then GOC 3 Corp Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, the then Officer Commanding Colonel Govinda Shreekumar and Intelligence Unit (IU) 3 Corp Eastern Command.
A case was registered at Bokajan police and the same was transferred to Diphupar Police station. The abduction was carried out by military personnel as mentioned in the FIR. Dimapur police had requested the 3 Corp to cooperate in the investigation. However, the then GOC 3 Corp reportedly refused to cooperate citing protection under Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958.
On May 2, residents of the Thangmeiband area in Imphal staged a sit-in demonstration here to renew their demand for action against the army personnel involved in the alleged abduction and killing of the three Manipuri youths.
A division bench of High Court of Manipur, comprising acting Chief Justice LK Mohapatra and Justice N Kotiswar had heard the petition on April 28 and posted the hearing on May 5, legal sources said.
