Imphal, December 11 2009: In Manipur, 80% of the family members of the victims killed by security forces have no knowledge on where to get the legal help to fight for justice, according to M.Rakesh, director of the Human Rights Law Network (Manipur).

This revelation was made during the programme organised today in Imphal in order to offer a platform for various victims and civil societies.

The seminar christened as Independent People's Tribunal on Torture, Extra Judicial Executions and Enforced Disappearance was held today at Conference Hall, Retreat House, Mantripukhri in Imphal.

During the programme, Meihoubam Rakesh, Director Human Rights Law Network (Manipur), stated that the main reason for taking up the programme has been to sort out the problem in the state by conducting discourse with the experts.

The family members of those killed in the alleged encounters between the security forces and the militants gave their side of stories and it was a heart rending sight during the seminar.

Some family members of the victims gave testimonies of torture, extra judicial executions and enforced disappearance.

The first testimonies were given by KH.

Subadani wife of (Lt).

Khamnam Santanu, who was killed an encounter incident at Naharup on October 24, 2009.In the testimonies, Subadani said, her husband went to one Thokchom Tenjin of Kongba Kshetri Leikai to collect wages for household construction but did not return home.

However, on the next day she came to know that both were found missing.

On the next day she found that both of them were killed in an alleged encounter and their bodies were deposited at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) mortuary.

A testimony from another victim's family members of Laishram Keshworjit, who was also killed sometimes ago by the security force personel of Tennoupal check post, after he was arrested while taking goods from Moreh for his shop.

His wife Prema got the news about her husband's dead body being deposited at RIMS morgue.

She alleged that a memorandum was submitted to the chief minister, however in response to her memorandum, her husband was accused to have linked with underground elements by the authority.

Today's programme was attended by former Judge of Kerala High Court KK Usha, DK Basu, a former Judge of Calcutta High Court and Moloy Sengupta, Acting chief justice of Sikkim High Court.

Numerous legal experts from Manipur also participated as penalists.