Discovery of human skulls and skeletal remains at school campus
Senior citizens favour SIT to probe case
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 04 2015: The Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur has made it clear that it would like the Government to set up an enquiry commission and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a thorough investigation into the discovery of eight human skulls and a number of skeletal remains from the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus.

Speaking to media persons today at his Loklaobung residence, Senior Citizens for Society Manipur secretary Advocate Khaidem Mani who is also the president of All Manipur Bar Association suggested that the Government constitute a three member enquiry commission headed by a retired Judge under the Commission of Enquiry Act 1952 for investigating the startling discovery.

File pic of the human skulls recovered while digging

Based on the findings/recommendations of the commission, further investigation should be done by an SIT headed by an IG or DIG and comprising of experts in different fields.

Around 20 people have disappeared involuntarily since 1980 till date.

For the first time AFSPA 1958 was imposed in some districts of Assam and one or two hill district(s) of Manipur in the early parts of 1960s .

The infamous Act was imposed all over Manipur since September 8, 1980 .

Whereas human right defenders, civil society organisations and the common people have been blaming security forces for killing UG cadres in fake encounters, the Government and its security agencies have been negating the same allegations.

In the meantime, a Supreme Court order has ruled that six of the numerous alleged fake encounters which took place in Manipur were genuine fake encounters.

Any investigation into the discovery of human skulls and other skeletal remains should take into consideration the aspect of possible link between the discovered skeletal remains and those people who have disappeared involuntarily, Advocate Mani asserted.

The situation demands sincerity and conviction on the part of the State Government.

People would also like to know whether the disturbing discovery has been apprised to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Central and State security forces which once occupied Tombisana High School campus must be identified.

If the Government is contending that the high school campus was once used as mortuary and some unclaimed dead bodies were buried there, then it should furnish documents and records in support of the contention.

Security forces whose primary duty is upholding the rule of law must be punished according to law if they are found guilty of breaking laws, Mani asserted.