Imphal, November 07 2009: A fourmember team has started a fact finding mission on the cases of extra-judicial killings and other atrocities unleased by the security forces in Manipur over the last many years.

The fact finding team comprising visiting professor of Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi and retired IPS Dr KS Subramaniam, editor of Mainstream Sunil Chakravartty, National secretary of PUCL Kabita Srivastava and Vasundhara Jairath of Delhi Solidarity Group formally began its mission since Nov 5 .

Addressing a press conference in this connection at Manipur Press Club here today, members of the fact finding mission, while spelling out the objective and the plan of actions of the mission, expressed serious concern over the prevailing human rights situation in Manipur.

It is said that during the course of the mission, the fact finding team would visit and interact with the family members of the alleged fact encounter victims apart from documenting how many alleged UGs have been killed by the security forces or detained in jail or suffered atrocities.

The team would also visit jails to talk with the inmates and hold meetings with officials related to maintenance of law and order in Manipur including the Chief Minister.

Along with photo-documentation, a complete report of the findings would be brought out and recommendations adopted with the alliance of National and regional media and other experts.

Speaking at the press conference, Kavita Srivastava informed that over the last three days, the fact finding team has met the Chief Minister, DGP, IG (Human Rights), members of civil societies, citizens groups, mediapersons as well as family members of victims of State violence.

From all these meetings, the picture that has emerged so far is of a State which has failed to put a rein on the activities of the security forces thus compounding the suffering of the people in general and the hapless women and children in particular, she said.

The team members also expressed concern over the failure of the Government to take up necessary actions in connection with alleged fake encounter incidents, punishment of the culprits and increasing violent incidents in the State.

Recounting their meeting with Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been launching fast unto death agita tion in pursuance of the public demand to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 for over 9 years now, the team members appreciated the spirit of Sharmila and assured that the demand of the people of Manipur would be brought to the notice of appropriate forum.

During their meeting with the DGP, the latter reportedly informed the team members that in all 260 UGs have been killed since January this year.

Nonetheless, the fact finding team members requested for thorough investigation into the incidents of alleged fake encounters and rehabilitation of the surviving bereaved family members under the definite rehabilitation policy of the State Government.

Expressing confidence that the final report of findings would be completed by November 18, the team members hoped this effort would help in restoration of peace and normalcy in the strife-torn State.