E/CN.4/2001/66 page 108 forthcoming meeting of MASS. In protest, Dhirawati Choudhury, a MASS woman activist started a fast along with other protesters. Police reportedly beat several of the protesters with lathis and tore Dhirawati Choudhury’s clothes. She and 12 women protesters were arrested and taken to Bongaigaon police station, where they were allegedly subjected to further beatings. 544. Y. Mani, the Vice-President of the All Manipur United Clubs Organization, was reportedly taken into army custody on 16 April 1999, where he was allegedly beaten, in particular on his head and face, with a wooden stick, and on his back with an iron chain. 545. Balbir Singh Bains, said to be resident in England, and his friend Sukhminder Singh were reportedly arrested on 24 June 1999 and held in a special cell of the crime branch of Lodhi Road police station, where they were allegedly beaten and harassed for the five following days. They were stripped naked and sexually harassed. On 27 and 29 June 1999, their families are said to have filed a complaint about their illegal detention with the Delhi police commissioner and the Chief Justice of the High Court. They are believed to be currently detained in Tihar Jail No. 3 in New Delhi awaiting trial. 546. Adivasi villagers who have been occupying an area of land in Murbad Taluka in Thane district for many years were allegedly subjected to ill-treatment in August 1999. Their occupation was challenged by several Mumbai businessmen. On 18 August they and a group of people including security guards approached their fields. A scuffle ensued. The police reportedly visited the village regularly for three days after the incident and detained around 19 people. Several are reported to have been beaten by the police while being arrested. 547. Women human rights defenders in Manipur State, known as Meira Paibis (torch bearers), are said to have regularly been ill-treated by police and security forces. On 16 October 1999, Meira Paibis reportedly involved in a peaceful protest against the killing of 10 civilians by members of the Central Reserve Police Force at Tonsem Lamkahi on 3 October, were beaten and several received severe injuries. In particular, Leichombam Ongbi Romabati was allegedly given a hard blow on her left arm with rods tipped with metal. Leishram Prema Devi reportedly received a severe sharp blow on her left temple. 548. Iqbal Agwan, the President of the Institute for the Development of Youth, Woman and Child, commonly known as PRAYAS, reportedly went to Tamia on 11 December 1999. On his way back, he was reportedly stopped by a Superintendent of Police who asked him to go to the Kotwali City police station. Upon arrival at the police station, he was reportedly immediately taken to the residence of the Superintendant of Police, who there reportedy insulted and threatened him, and then reportedly asked an inspector to beat him. He was then reportedly taken to the police station and put in a lock-up. The next morning, he was taken to the office of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chindwara, where he was allegedly kicked, beaten and slapped and threatened with being subjected to electric shocks. He was reportedly released on 13 December 1999 after having had to sign a piece of paper which he was not allowed to read. He was told not to make a complaint.