2106 insurgents killed between 1980 and 2010 : MHA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 19 2014 : Altogether 2106 insurgents were killed by security forces between 1980 and 2010 whereas insurgents shot dead 1218 security personnel, according to data and statistics available with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It further stated that the non-State actors killed 2405 civilians.

According to a memorandum submitted by the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur to two UN Special Rapporteurs, 1528 civilians were shot dead by State and Central security forces in fake encounters between 1979 and 2012 .

Between 1974 and 2013, 24 women were raped and 162 women were shot dead by security forces between 1980 and 2012 alleged the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in the memorandum submitted to the UN Rapporteurs.

State and Central security forces have conducted many large scale military operations in the State.

Many civilians were also massacred en masse by both State and Central forces.

Some of the standout massacres were the killing of 14 persons on June 18, 2001, killing of 12 persons in Tabunglong, Tamenglong in 2000, killing of 10 persons at Malom in 2000, killing of 10 persons in Tonsen Lamkhai, killing of five persons in Chura-chandpur in 1999, killing of 9 persons in Nunglei-band, killed between 1980 killing of nine persons at RMC (now RIMS) in 1996, killing of four persons at Ningkao, Tamenglong in 1994, killing of four persons at Makui, Tamenglong in 1994, killing of five persons at Tera in 1993, killing of 15 persons at Oinam, Senapati in 1987 and killing of 13 persons at Heirangoithong in 1984 .

Some of the major military operations were Operation Blue Bird (1987), Operation Sunny Vale (1993), Operation Loktak (2005), Operation Tornado (2005), Operation Dragnet (2006), Operation Somtal-I (2006), Operation Somtal-II (2008) and Operation Summer Storm (2009) .

In the name of tackling insurgency, Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 was imposed all over the State since 1980.Under this infamous Act, even non commissioned officer can shoot or detain any person on mere suspicion.

Many people who survived indiscriminate firing by security forces were crippled and they have been living in a state of trauma.

Whereas data available with the Ministry of Home Affairs give the numbers of security forces killed by insurgents, insurgents killed by security forces and civilians killed by insurgents, the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN has already published a report indicating the number of people killed by security forces and rapes committed by security forces.

Talking with The Sangai Express, Advocate Basanta Wareppa of Human Rights Law Network said that the Government of India should be clear whether there is a non-international armed conflict in India or not.

Nonetheless, the policy paper of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) published in 2008 states that if a country uses its military forces in addition to police in suppressing armed rebel groups in any part of its territory and if the non-State actors fighting against Government forces have a common structure, it should be accepted that there is non-international armed conflict within the country.

Observing that all these criteria are visible in Manipur, Basanta Wareppa noted that the Government of India is still reluctant to admit presence of non-international armed conflict within the country.

In areas where there is non-international armed conflict, all military forces, police well as insurgents should abide by the Common Article 3 of the International Humanitarian Law.

The particular country should also ratify the particular Article.

The Common Article 3 says that both State and non-State actors should respect the rights and dignity of all civilians and combatants alike.

Comment