Newmai News Network Imphal | April 4 The family members of victims of ‘extra judicial killings’, human rights activists, civil society organization leaders, women organisation leaders, advocates, academicians and students gathered at Kuki Inn, Imphal on April 4 and took several resolutions in connection with the extra judicial killings in Manipur. Elangbam Johnson, President of United Committee, Manipur (UCM), Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director of Human Rights Alert, Radhabinod Koijam, former chief minister of Manipur, Ngamgbam Johnson, Advisor of Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM), Longjam Memchoubi, President of Poirei Leimarol Apunba Nupi Lup, Lourembam Nganbi, an activist, Khangenbam Anandi, Managing Trustee of Just Peace Foundation and members of All Manipur Kanba Ima Lup spoke on the occasion. The activists resolved that CBI-SIT should comply with the directives of the Supreme Court of India in its judgment dated July 14, 2017 in the EEVFAM v/s Union of India case, both in letter and spirit, and conduct prompt and through, independent and impartial investigation in all the 98 cases, and file reports under section 173 of Criminal Procedure Code Without any further delay. They also resolved that the Government of India should find a comprehensive answer in order to fix various liability on superior police officers and politicians who are responsible for the killings and fulfill the Rights to Truth, Justice, reparation and guarantee of non-repetition of all the families of the victims of ‘extra judicial execution’ cases listed in the EEFVAM writ petition pending before the Supreme Court as well as the cases which are collected during the data collection by the petitioners in pursuance to the court judgment of July 8, 2016. Concerning the proposed National Intelligence Agency (NIA) investigation into the lost arms and ammunitions from 2nd Manipur Rifles storeroom, the meeting demanded that they should probe all possible angles, including the “possibility of implanting of those arms and ammunition during the staged encounters.” The activists also resolved that the Government of Manipur must ensure the protection of the petitioners, family members, witnesses and human rights defenders associated with the struggle for justice in the EEVFAM v/s Union of India case so that they can carry out their work without further threat and intimidation. The activists further sought solidarity, cooperation and support from fraternal groups struggling for human rights and justice, the National Human Rights institutions and the relevant International Human Rights Procedures. They demanded that the Government of India should repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 and Government of Manipur should establish the Manipur State Human Rights Commission. Earlier in the programme, the activists deliberated upon the steady progress, pitfalls and challenges in pursuit for justice of the mass atrocity crimes committed in Manipur under the shadow of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. They also welcomed and appreciated the historic report of the Supreme Court Appointed Commission dated March 30, 2013, the “two landmark judgments” of Supreme Court of India dated July 8, 2016 and July 14, 2017 in the EEVFAM v/s Union of India establishing accountability of fake encounters, retaliatory killings and excessive use of force resulting into death by the Manipur police and the armed forces of the Union. The gathering also expressed gratitude to all the public-spirited and philanthropic individuals and organizations who have generously contributed in various ways to the arduous struggle for justice to push the issue this far. They also acknowledged both the yearning for the long awaited justice for the families of the victims in particular and the people of Manipur in general and the “frustration at the slow progress in the investigation conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Investigation Team (SIT), even in a handful of cases.” The gathering appreciated the “feeling of being left out in the justice process” by the family members whose loved ones were ‘extra judicially executed’ but their cases are either not listed in the 1528 list submitted by EEVFAM or even if listed are not taken up for investigation by the CBI-SIT. Later, they reminded the Government of India that a failure to respect the duty to investigate is breach of the Right to Life and Right to Speedy Trial is a basic structure of Indian constitution. After the meeting, the activists submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister, N Biren in this regard.
