Close doors, roll camera

The C. Upendra Commission, probing the death of social activist Th. Manorama Devi, which has led to widespread protests in the state, today ...

The C. Upendra Commission, probing the death of social activist Th. Manorama Devi, which has led to widespread protests in the state, today began examining the four accused Assam Rifles personnel amid tight security.

No mediaperson or civilian was allowed to witness the court proceedings, recorded in camera. Sources said, the accused Assam Rifles personnel appeared before the retired judge at the Commission’s office at 11 am. They had been given a heavy security cover.

The counsel for the Assam Rifles, Col Triveni Prasad, and counsel for the victim, advocate Lakhi Kanta Singh, were present at the time of examination of the jawans, the sources said.

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Th. Manorama Devi was picked up from her home by Assam Rifles personnel on July 10 and her body was found the next day. Her death has sparked off widespread agitation in the state for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Today, seven ruling party legislators, including two ministers, urged the 32 organisations agitating for the withdrawal of the Act to exercise restraint and hold talks with the government, even as several students were arrested on the charge of defying prohibitory orders.

Official sources said, several students were taken into custody for a brief period for attempting to hand over textbooks, as part of their stir, to Governor S.S. Sidhu, Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh and other authorities.

Sources said at least 10 students were arrested from the gates of Raj Bhavan, while a dozen were picked up in front of the Chief Minister’s office. A number of students were also arrested from far-flung Lamlai and Wabagai in Imphal East and Imphal West districts. The exact number of arrests was not known, but officials estimated it to be below 100.

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The legislators in a statement have urged the 32 organisations to hold parleys with the government and restore normalcy in the state in the interest of students and the general public. They have offered to mediate if the agitators were willing to hold talks with the administration.