DIMAPUR, AUGUST 1 (MExN): The People for Democratic Rights (PDR) has urged the Judicial Inquiry Commissions (JIC) set up by the Nagaland State Government to inquire into the January 31, 2017 incident in Dimapur and November 13, 2015 Wuzu incident to expedite their inquires and complete it at the earliest possible time.
A press release issued by Media and Publicity Cell, PDR said a JIC was set up by the Nagaland Government to inquire into the January 31, 2017 incident at Dimapur where two persons died and several others were injured during the run up to the elections for Urban Local Bodies (ULB).
The Commission was initially given 60 days to submit its report and the period was extended from time to time and the last extension was for six months which expired on July 28, 2018. Since the last extended period for the JIC to submit its report has expired, the PDR has asked the JIC to enlighten on the progress and status of the inquiry. It also urged upon the State Government to inform whether the period for JIC to submit its report has been extended again.
On the July 16, 2015 Wuzu firing incident where two children were killed, the PDR noted that some delay in finalizing the report could be attributed to the inquiry into the Dimapur jail break and lynching incident since the government had picked the same judge to inquire into both the incidents and the government had asked the judge to first complete the jail break inquiry.
However, since the jail break report was already submitted in March 9, 2016, it is time the JIC on Wuzu incident finalize its report, the PDR stated.
48,18,476 spent on two JICs
The PDR also informed that the State Government has been spending huge amount of money for the two JICs on their honorarium and other staff of the Commission besides giving them entitlements such as vehicle and other facilities. The PDR said it has received information that the State Government has released Rs 27,52,766 for the JIC on ULB elections and Rs 20,65,710 on the JIC on Wuzu incident.
Appointment of JIC challenged by MHA
The PDR also sought details over the release of Rs 3 lakh released on October 6, 2017 by the Finance Department as cost for appearance fee of a private advocate with respect to “petition filed in Guwahati High Court by MHA challenging the Government’s authority to appoint a JIC.”
It also urged the State Government to inform the public as to appointment of which JIC did the MHA challenge and whether the case is still ongoing or disposed. PDR also sought information on whether the jurisdiction to file petitions by the MHA or any central government department against the State of Nagaland or any State lay in the Supreme Court or State High Courts.
