FIDAM urges swift action
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 18 2025: The Families of Involuntary Disappeared's Association of Manipur (FIDAM) has urged the Government to form an impartial investigation team headed by a retired Judge to investigate cases of alleged enforced disappearances including that of Kamal Babu's mysterious disappearance from the Leimakhong Army garrison recently.

Since the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 was first imposed in Manipur, the State has recorded a number of cases of alleged enforced disappearances with the security forces as the usual suspects, said FIDAM in a statement.

While the latest case is that of Kamal Babu's mysterious disappearance from inside the military garrison of the 57th Mountain Division of the Indian Army on November 25, 2024, the first recorded case was the alleged enforced disappearance of one Thokchom Lokendro, a resident of Pebiya Pandit, Thongju, Imphal East on September 23, 1980.The involvement of the 15th JK Rifles of the Indian Army was suspected in the case, said FIDAM.

Extrajudicial execution and enforced disappearance are a tool of terror and crime under international law with a devastating impact that strikes not just individuals and their families but entire societies leaving scars that are very difficult to heal, FIDAM said, quoting a report of the Human Rights Council (HRC) .

Enforced disappearances have left many families with unanswered questions and for life.

It has been a grave human right issue for decades in Manipur and other States where the controversial AFSPA has been imposed, said FIDAM, listing cases of alleged enforced disappearances.

Cases of "enforced disappearances" from 1980 to 2012--

1) September 23, 1980: Thokchom Lokendro of Pebiya Pandit, Thongju, Imphal East; Suspected perpetrators-15th JK Rifles, Indian Army
2) September 23, 1980: Kangujam Loken of Khongman Bashikhong, Imphal East; Suspected perpetrators- 15th JK Rifles, Indian Army
3) December 2, 1980: Mayanglambam Tomba of Kakching Khunou; Suspected perpetrators-JK Light Infantry, Indian Army
4) January 15, 1981: Chandam Chaoba of Pukhao, Imphal East; Suspected perpetrators-CRPF, stationed at Mantripukhri
5) March 10, 1982: C Daniel of Huining Village, Ukhrul; Suspected perpetrators-21 Sikh Regiment, Indian Army, stationed at Ukhrul
6) March 10, 1982: C Paul of Huining Village, Ukhrul; Suspected perpetrators-21 Sikh Regiment, Indian Army, stationed at Ukhrul
7) November 6, 1983: Khaidem Budha of Pungdongbam, Imphal East; Suspected perpetrators-Indian Army stationed at Leimakhong
8) July 9, 1987: RS Issac, Simjang village, Ukhrul; Suspected perpetrators-Assam Rifles, Indian Army, stationed at Ukhrul
9) July 25, 1994: M Kaizalal Paite of Churachandpur; Suspected perpetrators-20th Battalion, Assam Rifles stationed at Somsai, Ukhrul
10) April 29, 1995: Kingsutlin Kom of Zangthingfai, Churachandpur; Suspected perpetrators-CRPF stationed at Imphal
11) August 11, 1995: NS John of Khongiai Village, Phungyar, Ukhrul; Suspected perpetrators-31st Assam Rifles, Charduar Headquarters, Sonitpur Assam
12) On the intervening night of 4th and 5th June, 1996: Laishram Bijoykumar of Thangmeiband, Imphal West; Suspected perpetrators-Indian Army
13) June 6, 1996: T Mahaimi of Chamu Village, Ukhrul; Suspected perpetrators-Combined forces of 3 Corp of Indian Armed Forces
14) February 12, 1998: Yumlembam Sanamacha of Angtha Yairipok, Imphal East; Suspected perpetrators-17th Rajputana Rifles, Indian Army stationed at Yairipok
15) On the intervening night of 24 and 25 September, 1998: Boyai of Kwakeithel, Imphal West; Suspected perpetrators-317 Field Regiment, Indian Army stationed at Jiribam
16) July 25, 1999: Tayab Ali of Kairang, Imphal East; Suspected perpetrators-17th Assam Rifles, Indian Army stationed at Kangla
17) February 18, 2011: Longjam Suresh of Top Siphai Mayai Leikai, Imphal West; Suspected perpetrators-Army personnel
18) Ningther of Phungyar Village, Ukhrul went missing; Suspected perpetrators-security forces
19) Disappearance of Arunkumar of Iroishemba, Imphal West; Suspected perpetrators-security forces
20) August 5, 2011: K Morungdou of Langkhongching village, Tengnoupal; Suspected perpetrators-security forces
21) October 8, 2011: Sapam Chaoba Singh of Patsoi Part-I, Imphal West; Suspected perpetrators-security forces
22) Disappearance of Fazur Rahman of Khomidok, Imphal East; Suspected perpetrators-security forces
23) Disappearance of Angsha CR of Komlathabi, Chandel; Suspected perpetrators-security forces
24) Disappearance of Mingthar of Phungcham village, Ukhrul; Suspected perpetrators-security forces.

FIDAM said the Government must establish an independent and impartial investigation team headed by a retired Justice with the participation of civil society organizations and victim families to investigate the cases within a period of six months.

It urged for the cases to be solved at the earliest and all the perpetrators to be punished for the end of justice.

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