Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 16:
Striking a note of solidarity with the enraged sentiments of the people, Chief Minister O Ibobi today announced that his Government will leave no stone unturned to book the personnel responsible for the custodial death of Th Manorama.
In a statement issued to the press this evening, the Chief Minister said that his Government also strongly condemns the custodial death of Th Manorama after she was picked up by personnel of 17 Assam Rifles.
A Cabinet meeting has already been held to discuss the ways and means on how to give exemplary punishment to the guilty AR personnel, the CM said.
After due discussion, the Cabinet faxed messages to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister to pull up the erring jawans and to ensure that such ugly incidents do not occur again.
On the imposition of curfew, the Chief Minister took pains to explain that the Cabinet had earlier decided to give the green signal to proposed rally to be held today, but the nude protest held by women folks at the gate of 17 Assam Rifles had forced the Govt to clamp curfew as sentiment was already running high and the Govt did not want to let any ugly incidents to occur.
Putting to rest all doubts about the sincerity of his Government to nail the guilty, the CM said that the GOC of 3 Corp, Lt Gen Daljit Singh was summoned at 5 pm today and in the meeting, the army officer promised that the guilty personnel would be punished according to the law.
The CO of l7 Assam Rifles has also been intimated to hand over three personnel to the State police for necessary interrogation in connection with the case, added the statement.
Imphal East police had already registered a case.
The CM also informed that Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya brought the issue for discussion on the floor of the House during zero hours today.
Naming the three personnel, who signed the arrest memo, the MP made it clear to the Lok Sabha that fake encounters and custodial killings have been going on in Manipur for a very long time.
The three personnel are Havildar Suresh Kumar (Army number 173355) Rifleman Lotha (173916) and Ajit Singh (173491).The MP further said that gross violation of human rights by the Central forces have been rampant under the immunity granted by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
The MP also made it known that the excesses of the security personnel have come to be viewed as terrorism by the people of Manipur.
The nude protest staged by women folk in front of 17 Assam Rifles gate was also highlighted to the House.
Drawing the attention of the Prime Minister, Dr T Meinya made a strong case for the immediate revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur.
Taking off from the statement of Dr Meinya, the CM assured that all possible measures would be taken up to see that the Act is lifted from Manipur.