ZHRF backs CDSU, slams Assam Rifles
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, April 18 2011:
The Zomi Human Rights Foundation today rallied behind the Churachandpur District Students' Union over what it termed 'brutal torture of CDSU volunteers by the personnel of 46 Battalion under the 27 Sector Assam Rifles.
The incident carried ominous portents and could have potentially disastrous consequences for the human rights of the indigenous tribal people of Manipur in general and in Churachandpur District in particular, it said.
The fact that one of the victims is feared to lose his hearing is indeed horrifying and heart-rending.
The foundation is also equally disturbed by malicious counter claims/reports of the incident that it was a concocted, run-of-the-mill story to defame and malign the Assam Rifles, it added.
Drawing the attention of the district administration, the rights body demanded to know if the State has forfeited law and order, a State subject to the Assam Rifles.
What internal security problem has the district faced that military adventurism is not only encouraged but given a free hand to maintain law and order and, has the administration lose its faith in the credibility of State forces that it has to facilitate and pave the way for the Assam Rifles to intervene in the name of struggle against public security.
"Where truth is replaced by silence, that silence is a lie", the public deserves the right and accurate answer, the foundation said.