EEVFAM, HRA submit recommendations
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 26, 2013:
Following completion of the hearing in six cases of alleged extra judicial killings by security forces in Manipur, the Extra Judicial Executions Victims' Families Association of Manipur (EEVFAM) and Human Rights Alert have submitted a list of 12 recommendations to the Commission which was set up at the instance of the Supreme Court and conducted the hearing.
EEVFAM and HRA filed an appeal before the Supreme Court seeking enquiry by a Special Investigation Team into 1528 cases of alleged extra judicial executions by security forces since 1979. Hearing for six selected cases were conducted by the commission at Hotel Classic here from March 3 to 7 followed by another round at New Delhi from March 13 to 21. After completion of the hearing, the petitioners have submitted a list of 12 recommendations.
Speaking to media persons at HRA office today, HRA director Babloo Loitongbam said that the recommendations submitted to the commission included constitution of special investigation team for enquiry into 25 cases of extra judicial killings out of the total 1528 cases in view of their severity.
The other recommendations are, nine districts Courts should be separately established to function exclusively as Human Rights Courts in accordance to Section 30 of the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, and these Courts should be empowered to devise its own procedure so that criminal proceedings are completed within a period of six months.
A system of registering FIRs through email, registered post and other convenient methods and at public places other than police stations such as hospitals should be put in place.
Victims of human rights atrocity and their families and concerned witnesses should be taken under the care and protection of a special State unit for Victim and Witness Protection.
To help the victims and their families reconstruct their lives, the State should extend the existing social welfare schemes to such persons by amending the schemes if necessary and also create new and specific schemes with generous benefits covering education, pension, employment, health care, housing and other social benefits.
In all suspected cases of fake encounter, a district Judge or a retired district Judge should conduct enquiry expeditiously.
The commission may recommend to the Supreme Court to form another commission to meet all sections of society, study the situation and make recommendations for restoration of democracy in Manipur.
To repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act was another recommendation submitted by EEVFAM and HRA, Babloo said.
He remarked that the commission's hearing conducted at Imphal and New Delhi was transparent.
On the last day of the hearing, Counsels representing the Home Ministry, Defence Ministry, petitioners and Government of Manipur deliberated on AFSPA very seriously.
The commission's Chairman also asked as to why AFSPA is being imposed in Manipur for a long time as a result of which a restive situation prevailed in the State.
Whereas the Home Ministry conveyed that it was considering the issue of AFSPA, the Defence Ministry claimed that they have been undertaking many civic action programmes so that people of Manipur can live in a peaceful atmosphere despite presence of AFSPA.
All these points/contentions were rejected by the commission and it questioned how long Manipur would be kept in such tumultuous situation.
It further question what is the meaning of the Government's assertion that the recommendations of Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee are being considered that it has been seven years since the recommendations were made.
It is hopeful that the commission would make certain comments about AFSPA in its report submitted recently, Babloo asserted.
EEVFAM president Nina said that families of the victims of extra judicial killings are hopeful that justice would be delivered this time.
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