Manipur: High Court Seeks Fresh Action Taken Report on Unresolved Missing Persons Cases
Imphal, Manipur: The High Court of Manipur has directed the state government to submit an updated and comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR) on unresolved cases involving people who went missing during the 2023 ethnic violence in the state.
The direction was issued on Monday during the hearing of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No. 3 of 2026, filed by the Families of Involuntarily Disappeared Association, Manipur (FIDAM) and another petitioner against the Union of India and eight respondents.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M. Sundar and Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh heard the matter.
State Says Four Cases Transferred to CBI
During the hearing, Manipur’s Additional Advocate General informed the court that an initial Action Taken Report had been prepared.
The state government told the Bench that four cases involving eight missing persons had been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further investigation.
However, lawyers representing the petitioners pointed out that the PIL covers a total of 16 separate cases involving 23 missing persons.
The state government acknowledged that instructions were still awaited in the remaining 12 cases involving 15 missing persons and sought additional time to consult the Home Commissioner.
High Court Directs State to File Comprehensive ATR
Taking note of the submissions, the High Court formally issued notice to respondent No. 2, the State of Manipur through its Home Commissioner. The notice was accepted by the Additional Advocate General appearing for the state.
The Bench directed the state government to place an updated and comprehensive Action Taken Report on record, specifically covering the remaining unresolved cases.
The matter will be taken up again after the fresh report is submitted before the court.
PIL Concerns Missing Persons From 2023 Violence
The petition states that several people have remained unaccounted for since disappearing during the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in 2023.
According to the petitioners, FIRs were registered in several cases and investigations were initiated by the state police. However, the whereabouts of some of the missing individuals remain unresolved.
The PIL has sought judicial attention to the status of investigations and the steps taken by the authorities to trace those who remain missing.
Phougakchao Ikhai Case Cited Before Court
One of the cases highlighted in the PIL is FIR No. 14(5) of 2023, registered at Phougakchao Ikhai Police Station.
The case concerns the disappearance of Naorem Prakash Singh, Leichombam Suraj and Thongam Shyam Singh.
According to the petition, the three youths allegedly disappeared on May 11, 2023, after they went to Torbung Bangla to retrieve belongings from their homes, which had reportedly been burnt during the violence.
A related complaint was also submitted before the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC).
The commission disposed of the complaint on July 11, 2024, while directing the police to provide periodic updates to the complainants.
The petitioners, however, alleged that the promised updates were not subsequently provided.
Bishnupur SP Had Reportedly Flagged Case as Sensitive
A status report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Bishnupur, on June 20, 2024, reportedly described the disappearance case as sensitive.
The report stated that a proposal to transfer the investigation to the CBI had been forwarded to the Director General of Police on January 4, 2024.
The matter later became part of the broader concerns raised through the PIL regarding unresolved disappearances.
Another Missing Persons Case From Bishnupur
The petition also refers to FIR No. 196(9) of 2023, registered at Bishnupur Police Station, concerning the disappearance of Maisnam Malemnganba, G. Bony Sharma and P. Abinash.
The three were reported missing on June 3, 2023.
According to the petition, analysis of mobile tower data and geolocation information suggested that the three individuals had last travelled towards an area near Kwakta.
The petition further stated that searches conducted by state authorities did not produce any conclusive leads regarding their whereabouts.
Court Seeks Clarity on Remaining Cases
The latest order from the High Court places emphasis on the status of the cases that have not yet been transferred to the CBI or otherwise resolved.
With 12 cases involving 15 missing persons still awaiting further instructions, the court has asked the state government to provide a complete account of the action taken so far.
The fresh ATR is expected to provide details of the investigations, steps taken to trace the missing persons and the status of the remaining cases.
The proceedings remain significant for families seeking information about relatives who disappeared during the 2023 violence and for efforts to establish accountability and closure in unresolved cases.
Disclaimer: The allegations and details concerning individual cases are based on submissions and claims recorded in the PIL and court proceedings. They should not be treated as findings of guilt or final judicial conclusions unless established by a competent court.
