Imphal, May 09 2010: Zomi Human Rights Foundation (ZHRF) today appealed for immediate restoration of peace and tranquility in all parts of the State.

A press release issued by its Secretary, Program and Planning, Minthang stated that whereas Southern Manipur was joyously celebrating its Gospel Centenary Year with the theme, "Darkness to Light" the tribals in Northern Manipur is passing through on of the "Darkest Moment of Manipur History" where the entire area is being militarized by State Forces killing two innocent civilian and injuring many people on May 8 at Mao Gate.

"Notwithstanding the objectivity of the reasons for maintaining a rigid stand by Manipur Government on the one hand and the Naga Leadership on the other, denial of one's basic right and freedom and the killing of civilians deserved strong condemnation from all section of the society," it stated.

It further stated that although the elite Police Force/ Police Commandos were created for Counter Insurgency operation in the State, there are numbers of instances where the Forces are misused by the Government.

Instead of engaging unarmed civilian with normal Police or the Rapid Action Police who are equipped with appropriate tools, our Commandos with their sophisticated weapons are often used to tame any rally in the State, Minthang stated.