Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 13 2010:
In connection with the allegation of associating with unwanted elements levelled against him by the Advocate General of the State Government, member of Human Rights Commission (MHRC) RK Rajendra himself has requested the Governor to initiate a proper inquiry and prayed for providing adequate personal security.
In a representation submitted to the Governor, Rajendra pointed out that MHRC has been conducting many inquiries regarding violation of human rights or abetment thereof and negligence in the prevention of such violations by a public servant as allowed by the provisions of Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 .
However, the State authorities are not always happy with the inquiry of the MHRC.
Moreover, because of the sensitive inquiries that MHRC has taken up, the members have been apprehending danger to their personal safety and as such they have approached the authorities concerned of the State Government to provide adequate personal security.
Unfortunately, till date, no such personal security have been provided, Rajendra rued.
He further pointed out that recently, MHRC has taken up the MHRC case no.10 of 2009 and MHRC case no.12 for inquiry.
The case no.10 as taken up on a complaint filed by one Chinglensana, the husband of late Rabina Devi, who was killed in the firing incident of July 23, 2009 at Khwairamband Bazar and the case no.12 on the complaint filed by one Poukim Golmei, the wife of Mangal Golmei, who was injured in the said incident.
But the State Govt has been trying to have the inquiry stopped in view of the retired Justice PG Agarwal Commission of Inquiry.
On the refusal of MHRC to stop the inquiry, the State of Manipur, the Director General of Police and the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West filed writ petition (C) no.4387 of 2009 before the Principal Bench of Gauhati High Court.
In the said writ petition, allegation of bias has been made against two members of MHRC, including himself, Rajendra said in the representation.
When the hearing of the case was taken up on January 1, the Advocate General of the State Government during the course of his argument strongly alleged that he (Rajendra) is associating with unwanted elements and handed over some documents to the court.
However, on strong protest from the side of MHRC, the court returned the said documents to the Advocate General with the instruction that the documents should be submitted by filing affidavits.
Asserting that he had never associated himself with any unwanted elements in his life, including his tenure as a member of MHRC, Rajendra said that in view of the prevailing law and order situation in the State in which State forces have been killing many persons on the allegation of encounter killings as the false accusation of the Advocate General, there great apprehension that his life may be finished off at any moment unless an immediate inquiry is conducted and ensure adequate personal security.