MRS. S. BONGKHAM Vs. STATE OF MANIPUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Shri Ph. Sanajaoba, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Shri A. Vashum, the learned Govt. Advocate appearing for the respondents.

(2.) In this writ petition, the validity and correctness of the detention order dated 24-01-2017 passed by the District Magistrate, Thoubal District are being questioned and challenged by the petitioner.

(3.) As per the grounds of detention, the petitioner's husband i.e., the detenu joined the armed underground organisation namely, National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak/Muivah faction (hereinafter referred to as "the NSCN-IM") as a member in the month of July, 2008 through Mr. Koko Maring. The objective of the NSCN-IM is to establish a sovereign State by unifying all the Naga inhabited areas in the North-East of India and Northern Burma and in order to achieve its objective, the NSCN-IM procured arms and ammunition from foreign countries and started committing serious of heinous crimes such as murder, dacoity, robbery, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, etc. in different parts of the North-Eastern States and in particular, Manipur and Nagaland. After joining the organization, the detenu came to Hebron Camp, Dimapur and on his arrival at Hebron Camp, he met many top leaders including S/S Kilonser Mr. Angaikham Maring and S/S Cabinet & Home Secretary Mr. Gabriel Anal. Having less representatives of Khoibu tribes in the NSCN-IM, the detenu was exempted from undergoing basic military training and permitted to sit in the examination of Sec. Officer. In the month of Sept., 2008, the detenu along with others appeared in the examination and after having passed the said examination, he was given the rank of Sec. Officer in Nov., 2008 and thereafter, he was promoted to the rank of Under Secretary, NSCN-IM. In the last week of Dec., 2013, Mr. Angaikham Maring directed the detenu to work at Chandel and Thoubal Districts after contacting Mr. Souphamshei Khoibu of Nungourok Village and accordingly, he left Hebron for Khangshim Village where he contacted Mr. Souphamshei Khoibu who directed him to start extortion of money from the vehicles plying on the NH-102 (Imphal-Moreh). Accordingly, the detenu along with other activists of NSCN-IM including Mr. Anga Maring extorted money from vehicles plying on the NH-102 and also extorted money from the general public including businessmen, contractors, Government employees residing at Pallel and Kakching areas. The detenu and his associates threatened the victims with direct consequences not to report the matter to the security force/police. The extorted money were handed over either to Mr. Souphamshei Khoibu or Mr. Thamthrung Lamkang @ Julesh of Chandel Town and over and above, the detenu along with his associates watched the movement of security forces at Pallel Lamkhai and Kakching area and passed the information to the higher authorities of the NSCN-IM to lay ambush at opportune moment.