Kh Mani retires as MHRC chief, to continue public service
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 31 2022: After completing a stint of four years, Khaidem Mani has retired from the post of acting chairman of Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) on Wednesday.

He took charge of the post on August 30, 2018 .

Addressing a press meet at MHRC court room on Wednesday, Khaidem Mani said that MHRC was set up on June 27, 1998 under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 with retired chief justice of Sikkim High Court Surendra Nath Bhargava as the first chairman followed by appointment of members on December 10, 1998 .

Justice WA Shishak became the second chairman on September 23, 2003 and he worked till December 9 with support of three members.

Shishak was appointed to the post for the second time on May 5, 2005 and served till May 9, 2010 .

After his retirement, MHRC remained defunct for several years and after a gap of eight years, the CM Biren-led government appointed him as a member of the commission on August 25, 2018 .

On the same day, a separate order was issued by the Governor appointing him as the acting chairman and he took over the charge on August 30, Mani recalled.

The commission has four divisions with a sanctioned strength of 150.However, less than 30 members are carrying out the functions of the commission.

Despite lack of infrastructure, finance and manpower, the commission continued to render its service for the public.

In the last four years, the commission took up around 700 cases including suo moto cases but he did not feel content with this achievement since he is aware that the commission could do a lot more given the right circumstances.

Mani also stressed the need for creating awareness among the public so that they could bring their complaints to the commission and make it a strong body.

He further said that he tried his best to lift the disturbed area status from different parts of the state and recalled that it was during his tenure that the commission has a full-fledged post of secretary.

The commission has been able to publish annual reports for 2020-21 and 2021-22, and also framed rules for rendering power to the commission to appoint its own staff.

He added the schedule II in the Financial Power Rules 1995 of the commission and conducted three sittings in Moreh, Jiribam and Ukhrul to identify grievances of the public.

The commission had also taken up right violation cases including police atrocities, and made the offenders to pay compensation amounting to Rs 3.20 lakh to five victims during his stint, Mani said.

He also said that he did not face any pressure or influences in carrying out his duty and as such, he was able to render his service independently.

Even though he had retired from the post, he will continue to serve the people, Mani added.

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