This is an archive article published on August 29, 2023
Assam Rifles slaps legal notice on Manipur leader over ‘derogatory allegations’
In the notice issued on August 18, the Assam Rifles referred to statements made by Thounaojam – national secretary of RPI(A) – during a condolence meeting held in Delhi on June 30.
2 min readGuwahatiUpdated: Aug 29, 2023 07:43 AM IST
Stating that the statements have “discouraged and demoralised” the force, the notice – issued through Advocate Nitin Khera – demands a formal, written apology from Thounaojam.
Assam Rifles slaps legal notice on Manipur leader over ‘derogatory allegations’
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The Assam Rifles has issued a legal notice to Republican Party of India (Athawale) leader Maheshwar Thounaojam for making “DEROGATORY allegations” against the force in the Manipur conflict and demanding its removal from the state.
In the notice issued on August 18, the Assam Rifles referred to statements made by Thounaojam – national secretary of RPI(A) – during a condolence meeting held in Delhi on June 30.
The statements they have flagged include, “The (Manipur) villagers also reported that the Assam Rifles has been helping the Kuki militants… That means the Assam Rifles has to be removed immediately from Manipur… Does the Assam Rifles have a major role in the violence that has been going on for two months?”
Stating that the statements have “discouraged and demoralised” the force, the notice – issued through Advocate Nitin Khera – demands a formal, written apology from Thounaojam. It also demands that a public apology be issued through prominent media outlets within 15 days of receiving the legal notice, “ensuring” that it receives “similar visibility to the original derogatory remarks”, threatening legal proceedings if it is not done. The notice also demands a payment of Rs 5,100 to cover the cost of the legal notice.
Thounaojam referred to the notice as “undemocratic”.
“I mentioned that the inputs I was referring to was ‘as reported by villagers’. As to the role of the Assam Rifles, it was a question I was asking, not a statement I was making… The statements I had made was not in my political capacity but as a Manipuri… We live in a democratic country and sending a legal notice to an individual like this is wrong. I had gone to Delhi to be a voice,” he said.
Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges.
Expertise and Experience
Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts.
Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities.
Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East.
Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for:
Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms.
Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More
