indian inmate in myanmar

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Centre choses to maintain silence

Fate of Indians in Myanmar jail uncertain

>From our Correspondent
IMPHAL, July 31? The future of the four Indian
nationals who are undergoing rigorous imprisonment in
Myanmar on charges of violating the Narcotics Act of
the military-ruled country, is still uncertain. There
is also no record or FIR on the arrest of the four
personnel with Noreh(sic.) Police station or the
district administration so far according to sources. 
A social worker of the State, identified as M
Indrasen, recently visited Myanmar in connection with
their arrest. The four Indians were convicted by a
divisional court of Myanmar on June 6 in 1996 for 70
years rigorous imprisonment for reportedly violating
the Narcotics Act of Myanmar. The four prisoners have
been identified as S Gandhi (30) of Yiyangthang, Th
Mani and Kh Mani both from Thangmeiband, Hijam Dewan
Leikai and Y Baite of Moreh. All of them are from
Manipur. 
The social worker told this correspondent that
following an appeal, their jail term has been reduced
to only 10 years RI. He said that they are now serving
their jail term in Mandalay Central Jail in Myanmar. 
Indrasen further disclosed that one Boji Khin Maung
Myint who holds the post of Chairman of the
Development Council, Tamu in Myanmar reportedly told
him that the Central Government had made no inquiry
into the arrest of the four Indians and their
conviction. He also maintained that the prolonged
silence in this matter by the Indian authorities is a
gross violation of the basic human rights as the
voices of the four persons has not reached India. 
It may recalled that following a question raised by
the Rajya Sabha MP from the State, Angou on the floor
of the Upper House on July 23 last year, the then
Minister of External Affairs replied that the
government had received reports that four Indians were
arrested on April 24, 1996 in Myanmar for violating
the Myanmar Narcotics Act. An article  in this regard
was also published in this paper last years. 
assan tribune


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