CFJM demands judicial probe into Pallel incident
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 11 2023: Strongly condemning the Assam Rifles for training their guns on civilians instead of assisting the civil administration, as is their task; Citizen For Justice Manipur (CFJM) chairman and senior advocate Khaidem Mani has remarked that rule of law, law and order, and government machineries have failed in the state.

Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club on Monday, Mani said that large number of central forces have been deployed in the state purportedly to contain violence.

However, presence of the central forces has only led to more civilian deaths, some of which have been intentional.

The Assam Rifles deployed in Manipur to assist the civil authority or administration of the state under 7th Scheduled Union List 2 (A), is acting wilfully without consulting the state authority.

He continued that instead of merely condemning the atrocities of AR upon civilians, the state government should see to the arrest of the AR personnel involved.

On top of this, a judicial inquiry under a sitting judge of the Supreme Court or high court or CJM should be conducted to properly compensate the people injured in the incident.

The wilful behaviour of central forces as if there is no government, is unacceptable, he said, while informing that the CFJM will soon take up steps to ensure strict legal action is initiated against the AR personnel who are violating the rules.

Questioning why AR, who are in place to assist the civil administration, are turning on the civilians; CFJM vice chairperson A Noutuneshwari Devi said that a detailed investigation will make it clear whose orders the force is following.

She continued that time has come to replace AR from the state with another central forces, so that the people's right to life and protection, as mandated by the Constitution is upheld in the state.

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