CORE expresses concern over May 23 encounter
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 25 2015 : The Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE) Manipur has expressed deep concern over the reported 'encounter' that took place at Henjang village in Senapati district on May 23 wherein three persons were killed.

The Kuki Inpi-Saikul Gamkai had alleged that the reported encounter was fake, while the Assam Rifles had made a counter-claim that the three persons killed were cadres of non-State armed groups and the security forces also arrested one person possessing 'two crude IEDs and several rounds of 7.62 MM calibre' .

The AR further claimed that with the assistance of Manipur Police officers from Yairipok PS and commandos from Thoubal district police, a huge cache of arms and munitions was recovered from the scene of the encounter.

In a statement, Dr Immanuel Z Varte, executive director of CORE said that the contradictory claims by the Kuki Inpi and the Assam Rifles raised serious doubts regarding the veracity of the reports, whether a case for "administrative liquidation" according to the Supreme Court of India or extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution according to the United Nations exists.

Considering the fact that the region is under the AFSPA 1958 by which Central Indian armed forces are deployed to assist the civil administration, there are existing guidelines for procedures to be initiated in alleged cases of encounter deaths laid down by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India, it said.

It is also highly questionable why, despite the AR's claim that a 24-hour prior surveillance by the joint team took place on May 23, the Manipur Police and district administration were not informed before the operation took place, CORE said.

The Supreme Court of India is presently hearing a PIL (Writ Petition (Crl) No.129 of 2012) concerning more than 1500 cases of alleged extrajudicial execution in Manipur.

In relation to this writ petition, six cases investigated by the Supreme Court appointed Commission found all to be fake encounters.

In these contexts, it is imperative and obligatory to the Government of Manipur to ensure that the definite distinction between a genuine encounter and a case of human rights atrocities as alleged is determined for the ends of justice through an independent and impartial high level Judicial Inquiry to be constituted speedily.

It is also expected that the Supreme Court of India and/or National Human Rights Commission may please take up a suo moto case regarding this incident, it added.

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