Order of June 7 : Deceased cop found detailed for duty at Jiri
MHRC sounded to penalise DG, SA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 05 2024: A complaint has been filed with the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) seeking a recommendation or an order directing Rajiv Singh (IPS) currently holding the post of Director General of Police, Manipur and Kuldiep Singh, Advisor (Security) to the Government of Manipur to pay fair compensation to all the IDPs of Jiribam district.

The complaint has also sought speedy investigation, prosecution and punishment of the culprits involved in the murder of Soibam Saratkumar Singh as well as recording the statements of all IDPs in Jiribam, including the wife and son of Saratkumar, by the investigating officers of Manipur police, among others.

Order of June 7 : Deceased cop found detailed for duty at Jiri

The complaint was lodged by Saikhom Kamala Kanta Singha (69), retd Principal of DNNK Girls High School, Silchar from Itkhola Manipuri Para, Ward No 3, PS Silchar, Assam and Fanjowbam Lokenath Singha (29), Advocate and former Editor of Jiri News Network from Karaikandi, PS Lakhipur, Cachar, Assam.

According to a reliable source, the complaint stated that the compensation amount should not be incurred from the State exchequer but be borne by the DGP and the Advisor as they have "failed to protect human rights of the citizens who are residents of Jiribam district particularly the Meitei villagers living in Lamtai Khunou, Loukoibung, Harinagar, Naryanpur, Bhutangkhal and Leisabithol despite communication and intimation from the Secretary to the Chief Minister, Manipur and District Police, Jiribam regarding reported movement of about 200 armed Kuki-Zo militants and reported gun firing that took place on December 31, 2023, January 1, 2024 and also on January 21, 2024" .

The complaint further pointed out that following the killing of Soibam Saratkumar on June 6, the DGP, Manipur issued an order on June 7 to deploy 138 police personnel wherein the names of the personnel were also mentioned.

However, "..some of the police personnel whose particulars were given in the order are non-existent as they are believed to have died long back or lodged in jail", said the complaint.

Moreover, the police personnel were not sent to the vulnerable areas including Lamtai Khunou, Jiribam where violent incidents continue to persist, added the complaint.

Again on January 31, 2024 the Secretary to Chief Minister, Manipur wrote another letter to the Advisor (Security) and the DGP, Manipur stating that "reports have been received of possibility of attempt to loot arms and ammunition of 7 IRB located in Jiribam district.

Police Department is requested to take necessary steps in this regard" .

On January 21, 2024, the District Police Department, Jiribam issued a message addressed to the ADGP (L&O), Manipur requesting for deployment of 2 Coys of CAPF at Jiribam and Borobekra Sub-Division following instances of gunfire at Durgapur (Lamtai Khunou village), Borobekra Sub-Division on December 31, 2023, January 1, 2024 and January 21, 2024 .

On another note, the complainants are also seeking an order or recommendation from the State Commission directing the Chief Secretary, Commissioner (Home) and Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam to secure all the land and belongings of the IDPs and to pay a sum of Rs 10 lakh as monetary relief to each household of the Meitei villagers from Lamtai Khunou, Loukoibung, Harinagar, Naryanpur, Bhutangkhal and Leisabithol.

Additionally, an order directing the Superintendent of Police, Jiribam to instruct the Officers-in-Charge of Jiribam police station and Borobekra police station including Investigation Officer(s) to record the statement of all the IDPs and to furnish a copy of the status report of investigation being conducted in connection with the aforesaid incidents is also being sought.

Regarding the brutal killing of Soibam Saratkumar Singh, the complaint claimed that the Meitei community of Jiribam have reason to believe that one Gousang Singson is the main person involved in the murder.

An olive green vehicle last seen by Saratkumar's wife and son and thus believed to have some connection with the killing of Saratkumar allegedly belongs to Gousang Singson's family.

The complaint also mentioned some notable figures concerning the burning of Meitei houses in Jiribam.

It said that out of 44 houses of Meitei families living in Loukoibung village, five were burnt down.

Meanwhile, all houses belonging to the four Meitei families in Harinagar village were set ablaze by Kuki militants.

Similarly, houses of the five Meiteis families living in Naryanpur village were also burnt.

At Bhutangkhal, Kuki militants burned down the houses of the three Meitei families residing there.

The three Meitei households living in Leisabithol also suffered the same fate.

The Meitei residents of Lamtai Khunou fled from their village and sought shelter at Borobekra police station from the night of June 6.The next day Assam Rifles personnel evacuated them to Jiribam District Headquarters and they have been seeking refuge at different relief camps in Jiribam since then.

Notably, they have been told that Kuki militants have burnt down their houses.

There were reportedly 86 Meitei households in Lamtai Khunou.

At this juncture, the complaint highlighted that despite promulgation of public curfew, no appropriate security measures were taken up to enforce law and order which resulted in burning down of Meitei houses with impunity and even police outposts by Kuki militants.

Thus, the two complainants have sought justice for the IDPs, protection of their Right to Life and to guarantee non-recurrence of the violent incidents by deploying adequate permanent State security forces at Lamtai Khunou and other vulnerable areas in Jiribam district.