New Delhi, January 28 (MExN): People from different North-East communities gathered today at Manipur Bhawan in New Delhi, under the banner of North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) to protest the encounter killing of Chongkham Sanjit by Manipur Police Commandos (MPC) in 2009. A by-stander Rabina was also killed in this encounter, which took place in a busy market area in Imphal.
NEFIS submitted a Memorandum to the Resident Commissioner, Manipur Bhawan demanding an independent inquiry of the case by an International Organization like UNO, since Chief Minister too is implicated in this “state-sponsored fake encounter,” stated a press release from NEFIS Convenor, Chinglen Khumukcham.
The Forum demanded that the then Additional SP, Imphal West, Akoijam Jhalajhit, be “immediately suspended” and an inquiry initiated on him. They also demanded that appropriate compensation be provided to the victim’s family and that the Government of Manipur tender an “immediate apology not only to the victim’s family, but to the people of Manipur for brutally violating their democratic rights.”
It may be mentioned that the Police, in 2009, had alleged that Sanjit had been killed in retaliatory firing. However, recent admission by Head Constable Herojit Singh revealed that he was told by then Additional SP, Imphal West, Akoijam Jhalajhit, who is now SP of the same district, to “finish him off.” Herojit also admitted that Sanjit was unarmed and had been compliant with the police, when he was detained.
This shows, maintained the NEFIS, that “the way in which Manipur Police Commandos have been allowed to function by the Manipur Government and have consequently become adept at ‘finishing off’ people in extra-judicial killings and fake encounters. This is a clear case of state-sponsored fake encounter, denying people their basic right to be tried through a due legal process.” NEFIS has pledged to continue its struggle and build a “huge movement” against the Manipur Government until such extra-judicial killings and fake encounters “stop and the culprits are brought to justice.”
