Imphal, October 08 2009: The State Government's interference and attempt to suspend the inquiry being conducted by the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) into the July 23 killings smacks of ignorance of law on its part, declared Advocate Khaidem Mani today.

Speaking to media-persons this afternoon, Khaidem Mani observed that the MHRC's inquiry being conducted under a Judicial proceeding can be called off by the Supreme Court or High Court if there is a valid reason.

But the State Government's interference and attempt to suspend the MHRC's inquiry only reflects its non-acquaintance with the country's law, he said.

Quoting National Human Rights Commission and the Commission of Inquiry Act, Mani contended that if two or more bodies are investigating a single case, the body which initiated the inquiry process first Mani asserted that if two or more bodies were investigating into a single event, the body which initiated the enquiry process first of all should be given advantage.

Whatever it may be, if two bodies were probing into a single incident, there should not be any interference from either side, Mani observed.

As per media reports that Thokchom Chinglensana, husband of late Rabina filed a complaint at MHRC.

Acting on the complaint, MHRC registered a case and launched an enquiry from July 31 .

On the other hand, one-man Agarwal Commission started its enquiry from August 27 in accordance to a Government order.

Here there is no valid reason to call off the MHRC's enquiry either under National Human Rights Commission or Commission of Enquiry Act.

The Government has no right to cancel the enquiry, Mani asserted.

In connection with its enquiry, the MHRC has all the right to summon an individual or an officer.

The authority conferred to the Manipur Human Rights Commission is equal to the power exercised by civil courts.

The State Government's instruction to withdraw warrants issued against officers refusing to comply with MHRC's summons was beyond the legal authority of the Government, Khaidem Mani said.

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