CORE

Centre for Organisation Research & Education

Indigenous Peoples Centre for Policy and Human Rights in Indias Eastern Himalayan Territories NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

URGENT APPEAL
CORE/UA/2011/-thr-007

INDIA: Life threat to Muslim Women Human Rights Defenders in Manipur

Originator: Centre for Organization Research and Education (CORE) Ibotombi Building, Opposite 1st MR Ground, Babupara Imphal - 795001, Manipur INDIA Tel/Fax: + 91- 385 2441319 administrator@coremanipur.org www.coremanipur.org Date and Time: 1030 hours IST, 22nd June, 2011 SUMMARY
Four Muslim minority women namely Mrs. Leila Bibi W/o Md. Tomba, Mrs. Iberei Begum W/o Md. Nasir Khan, Mrs. Najida W/o (L) Md. Achou, Mrs. Mumta Bibi W/o Md. Jiauddin all resident of Yairipok Mathak Leikai, PO & PS Yairipok, Thoubal district, Manipur files RTI (Right to information act, 2005) applications regarding PDS (public distribution system, rationing of essential commodities) and non full implementation of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005) under RTI (Right to information Act, 2005) to the SPIO (State Public Information Officer) requesting information regarding passbook for job card holders under MGNREGA and other details. Aggrieved by incomplete information response of SPIO, applicants approach DC (Deputy Commissioner) Thoubal district. DC call up ASP (Additional Superintendent of Police) Thoubal district, and order to search the house of Md. Abdul Halim S/o Md. Samshu, a Pradhan, Panchayat of Wangkhem Kendra regarding passbook of job card holders under MGNREGA. ASP along with applicants went to Yairipok Police station and OC (officer-in-charge) of Yairipok Police station call up immediately Md. Abdul Halim to bring passbooks of job card holder under Wangkhem Kendra. Md. Abdul Halim show up and produce 120 (one hundred twenty) passbooks of job card holders in front of ASP, OC & applicants at Yairipok police station, but passbook of RTI applicants were missing. The perpetrators reportedly threaten and intimidate RTI applications through phone. Perpetrators beaten up Mrs. Nijida till she fainted and the other applicants son was beaten by Md. Mustafa and threatens entire family members not to venture out of home. While inquiring about what happen to his son at his gate (as his son come home crying with blood on his nose), Md. Mustafa press the throat of Md. Tomba H/o Mrs. Leila Bibi while struggling to protect himself from strangulation and hearing the tussle, one Md. Ayub Khan (younger brother of Md. Tomba) came to see his brother Md. Tomba. On seeing Md. Ayub Khan, Md. Mustafa thrashes him with a long knife on the forehead causing grievous injury. Family members rush to Yairipok Police Station with a complaint but refuse to file a case against the perpetrator. Police gave first aid and give 5 (five) stitches to the victim and return home. Md. Ayub khan is admitted in Public hospital Imphal for medication. All the RTI applicants took refuge in Imphal fearing threats and seeking justice.
__________________________ Loisanglen: Post Box No. 99 1st Floor, Ibotombi Building, Babupara Imphal 795001, MANIPUR India Tel/Fax: +91 385 244 13 19 Email: administrator@coremanipur.org Website: www.coremanipur.org

CORE

Centre for Organisation Research & Education

Indigenous Peoples Centre for Policy and Human Rights in Indias Eastern Himalayan Territories NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

Name of Victim: 1). Mrs. Leila Bibi (35) W/o Md. Tomba 2). Mrs. Iberei Begum (36) W/o Md. Nasir Khan 3). Mrs. Najida (57) W/o (L) Md. Achou 4). Mrs. Mumta Bibi (40) W/o Md. Jiauddin Residential Address: All residence of Yairipok Mathak Leikai, PO & PS Yairipok, Thoubal district, Manipur INDIA Date of incident: 19th June 2011 Place of incident: Yairipok Mathak Leikai, PO & PS Yairipok, Thoubal district, Manipur INDIA Perpetrator: 1. Mrs. Thambal Mani ( 35) W/o Tomba 2. Mrs. Share (35) W/o Md. Riya Khan 3. Md. Chaoba Marubi (65) s/o Md. 4. Md. Sajan (46) S/o Nahathoibi 5. Md. Mustafa (52) S/o Md. Meino Marubi all residence of Yairipok Mathak Leikai, PO & PS Yairipok, Thoubal district, Manipur INDIA 6. Md. Abdul Helim (45) S/o Md. Samshu, Pradhan, Panchayet Wangkhem Kendra, residence of Tampak Mayum, Yairipok, Thoubal Event description: The above mention Muslim women files RTI (Right to information Act, 2005) applications on 25th April 20011 to SPIO (State Public Information Officer) Thoubal CD Block, Thoubal District, Manipur, regarding any job card holders passbook of MGNREGA (Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005) as applicants did not received their lawful passbook under MGNREGA and inadequate supply of ration rice. The applicants along with other women of Yairipok Mathak Leikai have meeting at local community hall regarding RTI in and its utilities on 1st May (Sun) 2011 and participants willing to have RTI meeting every Sunday. Unknown person shot two rounds (one loud and other softer) near the house of Mrs. Mumta Bibi at about 0900 pm (IST). The subsequent Sunday 8th May (Sun), women folks have RTI meeting again as they realize the benefits of RTI. And at night at about 1000 pm one unidentified person came and kick the front door of Mrs. Iberei Begum W/o Md. Nasir Khan and about 0011 pm (IST) they heard about 5 gun shots. On 15th May, 2011, they had RTI meeting again and at night about 0010 pm (IST) hear about 1 gunshot, also one unidentified person was found outside her house of Mrs. Iberei Begum at about 1100 pm . Women folks present in the RTI meeting resolve to find out who shots at
__________________________ Loisanglen: Post Box No. 99 1st Floor, Ibotombi Building, Babupara Imphal 795001, MANIPUR India Tel/Fax: +91 385 244 13 19 Email: administrator@coremanipur.org Website: www.coremanipur.org

CORE

Centre for Organisation Research & Education

Indigenous Peoples Centre for Policy and Human Rights in Indias Eastern Himalayan Territories NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

night especially after Sunday RTI meeting, if there is any shooting, women will alarm one another and find out the culprits. Mrs. Mumta Bibi and her family members rush to her brother-in-laws house for refuge which is nearby fearing shots from firing by unidentified gun men for consecutive three Sunday nights since 1st May. Md. Nehru (27) s/o Md. Basir of same locality (animal husbandry by profession) complaint night shooting incidents to Additional Superintendent of Police and the subsequent Sunday evening till date there was no repot shooting at night though women folks continue their RTI meeting. Mr. Abbul Helim, Pradhan of Wangkhem Kendra reportedly call up the son-in-law of Mrs. Mumta Bibi by threatening both Mrs. Mumta Bibi and her husband will be killed if RTI application did not revoked, if not he will sent police and book Mrs. Mumtas husband under strong law as underground (militant). Also, alleged that Mr. Abdul Helim, threatens through phone to RTI applicants that 5 (five) bullets are reserve and ready to shot those RTI applicants. Again, Mr. Abdul Helim also reportedly requested Mr. Aktabar (19) (Class XII student, younger brother of Md. Nehru) to hand over all the RTI application from the applicants by enticing him to give anything he wants but refuse to do so. On 19th June 2011, at about it is reported that Mrs. Najida W/o (L) Md. Achou, went out to buy some vegetables from the local market. Mrs. Thambal Mani w/o Tomba Mrs. Share w/o Md. Riya Khan resident of Yairipok Mathak Leikai, PO & PS Yairipok came and caught her hands and pushed Mrs. Najida into one Mr. Manous house and beaten black and blue by spade on the back and other part of her body. Others do join the beating with blunt objects. It is also reported that Md. Chaoba Manurbi & Md. Sajan S/o Nahathoibi also beat her with iron rode on her face followed by many people continue beating her leading to unconscious state. Mrs. Najida regains her consciousness while perpetrators try to push her in to one vehicle near Md. Manous residence. Two worker of MLA namely Ms. Kunjarani (44) and Mrs. Manglembi (45) both resident of Bishnunaha, under Yairipok police station rescue Mrs. Najida by defending that she did nothing wrong and there is no reason at all to commits such acts against this woman. In the mean time, local women rush in on hearing the incident, Mrs. Mumta Bibi also came to see Mrs. Najida but Mrs. Mumta was beaten by stick on her head and continue beating later she got fainted at the spot. Both Mrs. Najida and Mrs. Mumta were taking care by respective family members at home as threats continue. On 20th June 2011 at about, a 15 years old student S/o Mrs. Leila Bibi who went out searching for lost cow came back home finding non (as cow reaches home alone ahead) at about 0630 pm (IST) was interrupted by Md. Mustafa by asking why are you going out? And slap on his nose. Md. Mustafa left the spot in his bicycle. The school boy came home crying with blood on his nose. The unfortunate boys father Md. Tomba met his son at the gate and inquiring what happen on the way. Md. Mustafa came back from his bicycle and press (trying to strangulate) Md. Tombas throat. On hearing tussling at the gate, Md. Ayub Khan (40) S/o (L) Jallal after evening prayer (younger brother of Md. Tomba) came out to see what is happening. Suddenly Md. Mustafa struck the forehead of Md. Ayub khan with a long knife. The victims reported that they did not retaliate in any form against Md. Mustafa. It is reported that family members along with Md. Ayub Khan went to Yairipok police station with a complaint against the grievous injuries but police did not accept their complaint saying there is the need of some more question
__________________________ Loisanglen: Post Box No. 99 1st Floor, Ibotombi Building, Babupara Imphal 795001, MANIPUR India Tel/Fax: +91 385 244 13 19 Email: administrator@coremanipur.org Website: www.coremanipur.org

CORE

Centre for Organisation Research & Education

Indigenous Peoples Centre for Policy and Human Rights in Indias Eastern Himalayan Territories NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

and answer and request the victim family to calm down, police gave 10 (ten) stitches to Md. Ayub Khan and first aids while his right eye do affect badly but police tries to calm down the victim families by saying its only minor injuries. Unsatisfied the response of police on 21st June 2011 the victim family went to Public hospital, hatta, Imphal for further treatment both Md. Ayub Khan and Md. Tomba (as his throats pain didnt subside). Also, Mrs. Najida and Mrs. Mumta do admitted for necessary treatment at Public hospital, Hatta, Imphal. On 20th June 2011, a 13 years old boy of class VIII son of Mrs. Mumta was reportedly threaten the entire family members not to venture out by Md. Abdul Helim and his allies Md. Mustafa, Md. Manou Minarjan while returning home from school. On 21st June 2011, it was allege Md. Abdul Helim and his allies threatens the 13 years old school boy why did he venture after such warning that they will kill him and his parents if continue disobey their dictates. Follow up: All the applicants are seeking refuge at Imphal as threats continue in their respective residence. No arrest against the allege perpetrators has been made till the filing of this report Action requested: 1. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mrs. Leila Bibi, Mrs. Iberei Begum, Mrs. Najida, Mrs. Mumta Bibi and all human rights defenders in India; 2. Order an immediate, thorough, effective, transparent and impartial investigation into the death threats and book those found guilty according to law. 3. Put an end to acts of harassment and threats faced by human rights defenders in India. 4. Ensure strong action should be taken up on neglected police officials 5. Provide requested information to the applicant under the Right to information Act, 2005

Please write to:

1. Smt. Pratibha Patil, President of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi 110004, India, Fax 91 11 233 82365/ 91 11 237 11 772, Email: presidentofinidia@rb.nic.in 2. Shri. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, Prime Ministers Office, Room number 152, South Block, New Delhi 110011, INDIA, Telephone: 91-11-23012312. Fax: 91-11-23019545 / 91-11-23016857.Email: manmohan@sansad.nic.in, pmosb@pmo.nic.in 3. Dr. P. Chidambaram, Union Minister of Home Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, 104-107 North Block, New Delhi 110 001 India. Fax: +91 11 2309 2979. Email: hm@nic.in, pchidambi@yahoo.co.in

4. Justice Kapadia, Chief Justice of India and RK. Raghavan, Chairman of the Special Investigation Team, Supreme Court, Tilak Marg, New Delhi -01, India. Fax: +91 11 233 83792, Email: supremecourt@nic.in

__________________________ Loisanglen: Post Box No. 99 1st Floor, Ibotombi Building, Babupara Imphal 795001, MANIPUR India Tel/Fax: +91 385 244 13 19 Email: administrator@coremanipur.org Website: www.coremanipur.org

CORE

Centre for Organisation Research & Education

Indigenous Peoples Centre for Policy and Human Rights in Indias Eastern Himalayan Territories NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

Justice K. G. Balkrishnan, ChairpersonJustice K. G. Balkrishnan, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India, Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi 110 001, India. Tel: +91 11 230 74448, Fax: +91 11 2334 0016, Email: covdnhrc@nic.in, ionhrc@nic.in, chairnhrc@nic.in 6. Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, Chief Ministers Secretariat, Babupara, Imphal, 795001, Manipur, India, Telephone: + 91 385 2220137 (O), + 91 385 2421171 (R), Fax: 91 385 222 1817, + 91 385 2221817, Email: cmmani@hub.nic.in, cmmani@man.nic.in 7. His Excellency Shri. Gurbachan Jagat, Governor of Manipur, Raj Bhavan Imphal 795001, Manipur INDIA, govmani@hub.nic.in (Off) + 91 385 2220009, + 91 385 2220009, + 91 385 2220287 Fax: + 91 385 2220278 8. Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, 4, Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Marg, New Delhi-110 002, INDIA ncw@nic.in (Off) 91-11-23237166, 91-11-23236988, (Fax): 91-11-23236154 9. Satyendra Mishra, Chief Information Commissioner, Central Information Commission, 306, 2nd Floor, August Kranti Bhavan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110 066 INDIA.Phone:- 011 26717355. Email:s.mishra@nic.in 10. Dr. L. Ibetombi, Chairperson, Manipur State Women Commission, DC Office Complex, North Block, Post Office LAMPHELPAT, Manipur-04 , Phone:0385-2411880, +91- 09856160791(mobile), email: mscw_imphal @yahoo.com 11. Mr. RK. Angousana Singh, Chief information Commission, Manipur Station Information commission, Room No. 58, Secretariat Building, Babupara Imphal 795001 Manipur INDIA, Tele-fax: 0385-2456302

** Kindly inform the CORE of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply.

__________________________ Loisanglen: Post Box No. 99 1st Floor, Ibotombi Building, Babupara Imphal 795001, MANIPUR India Tel/Fax: +91 385 244 13 19 Email: administrator@coremanipur.org Website: www.coremanipur.org