IMPHAL, July 27: The Human Rights Alert (HRA) has said that the non-appearance of Babloo Loitongbam, executive director of HRA, before the Privilege Committee, wais due to an urgency to attend a meeting of the Working Group in Human Rights in India (WGHR), at New Delhi.
A press release of the HRA said that, by the time it recieved the summon letter on July 25, the executive director was already on his way to Delhi.
It said the WGHR meeting dated for July 26 was fixed months ago and by July 16, flight tickets for Babloo Loitongbam was already booked by the WGHR secretariat.
The programme executive of HRA has also stated in the press release that he had submitted a written representation to the secretary of Manipur Legislative Assembly informing the inability of Babloo to attend the committee meeting and seeking a fresh date to appear in person.
He even sought a copy of the notice of breach of privilege and contempt of the House raised by Dr I Ibhalbi Singh, MLA, which was mentioned in the letter to have been enclosed but did not come through, he added in the press release.
The next date for hearing, to be fixed by the Privilege Committee, is awaited by HRA with an assurance to co-operate with the proceedings of the Committee to dig out the truth and meet the ends of justice, said the press release.