Earth digging work continues, CORE decries;; Identification process on : Dy CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 28 2014: The State Government has been investing maximum resources and necessary manpower to identify the skulls and skeletons discovered from the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus, according to Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

Briefing media persons at Congress Bhavan here today, Gaikhangam who is also in charge of Home Department said that a case has been registered at the police station concerned in connection with the discovery of skulls and skeletons and police have started due process of investigation to identify the skulls and skeletons by sending them to fo rensic science laboratory.

Earlier, a district hospital was located within the campus of Tombisana High School which has now been shut down.

There are also reports that the area was used as a mortuary as a part of the hospital.

Nonetheless, forensic science experts have been examining the dug out skulls, skeletons and also land underneath which the skulls and skeletons were found buried.

How old are the skulls and skeletons can be determined after obtaining results of different laboratory tests being conducted.

However, the ongoing work of digging earth would go on as a new market complex would be constructed over the same area.

In the process of digging earth, it would also be checked if any more skeletons and skulls are present in the area, Gaikhangam stated.

On the other hand, the Centre for Organisation Research and Education has expressed surprise over the failure of the State Government and the Deputy Chief Minister in failing to fully understand the implications of the discovery of the 'mass grave' .

In a statement CORE said that after Tombisana High School was abolished in 2004, it was occupied by security forces such as the CRPF, IRB and State police.

Close on the heels of the exposure of numerous cases of fake encounters, numerous cases of enforced disappearance have defined the State for decades, it said and added that the grave human rights violations by State and Central law enforcing agencies constitute the signature of a Government that has lost moral and political legitimacy.

The failure to respond immediately and take up appropriate steps against such gruesome discovery reflects a callousness of the Government, said CORE and added that it is in utter disregard for the rule of law and human rights.

CORE strongly supports the call of the Families of the Involuntarily Disappeared's Association, Manipur to immediately halt any further excavation and construction related activities at the site.

It also demanded the institution of a high level expert and independent forensic inquiry into the recent findings and to make the report public as soon as possible.

The National Human Rights Commission and the High Court of Manipur too must take suo moto action to investigate the matter, it added.

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