Meet decries keeping MHRC amiss
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 18 2011: A dialogue programme held at Hotel Tampha yesterday under the aegis of the North East Dialogue Forum denounced the State Government for putting the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) in dormancy for the last many years.

Incidentally, the MHRC was set up by the State Government on June 27, 1998 .

Among others, the programme was attended by former members of MHRC, academicians, activists and journalists.

Speaking to media persons after the programme, North East Dialogue Forum, Imphal convenor U Nobokishore observed that the State Government has been committing a serious fait accompli to its own citizens by keeping the MHRC non-functional when the State has been continually witnessing human rights violation in multiple forms.

The dialogue culminated by taking six different resolutions unanimously.

Appointment of MHRC Chairperson and Members at the earliest possible time was the first resolution.

Appointment of police and investigating staff for the commission as per provisions of the amended Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 was another resolution.

Deputation of the Secretary ranked officer to the commission and enhanced budget allocation for MHRC were the third and fourth resolutions of the meet.

The last resolution was clearance of all dues owed to Chairperson and Members of the commission.

Following appointment of Chairperson and Members, the MHRC stated functioning from December 10, 1998 .

The commission was run from its temporary office at the State Guest House.

The office was shifted to Lamphel Court complex, again temporarily.

From Lamphel, the MHRC shifted its office to the first floor of Family Court and it remains there till today, without any permanent office, Nobokishore said.

Sikkim High Court retired Justice Surendra Nath Bhargava was appointed the first Chairperson of MHRC who was then serving as Chairperson of Assam Human Rights Commission.

Surendra Nath Bhargava was succeeded by retired Justice WA Shishak.

After retirement of the first batch of members, no new members were appointed, thereby putting the MHRC in a dormant state.

In this connection, a PIL was field in 2005 .

Acting upon the PIL, the High Court issued an order directing the State Government to MHRC Members at the earliest.

According to Article 27.7 of the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, one officer not below the rank of Secretary and another officer not below the rank of IGP should be deputed to the Commission as officer and investigating staff.

However, these posts are lying vacant in the commission.

On the other hand, on account of the conflict situation being witnessed in the State, cases of human rights violation have been rising day by day, Nobokishore said.

The situation has been aggravated by continued imposition of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 .

Rather than working for resolving the conflict situation, the Government has been deploying more and more military in the State in the name of national security, he asserted.

Under such situation, it is pointless for the Government to set up the MHRC if it should be kept non-functional like it is today, Nobokishore remarked.

Later a media team and some members of the North East Dialogue Forum, Imphal went to the temporary of MHRC at the first floor of Family Court.

But no MHRC staff could be found in the office.

All the rooms of MHRC Chairperson, Members and staff were found locked.

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