EEVFAM calls for 3-day candle light vigil
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 05 2015 : Extrajudicial Execution Victims Family Association, Manipur (EEVFAM) has requested family members, locals and the general public to maintain three day candle light vigil and observe collective prayer at the graveyards of those 1528 people who were killed by security forces and paramilitary forces in alleged fake encounter cases from 1979 to 2012, as the verdict for criminal investigation might be resolved in the upcoming hearing of the Supreme Court on December 8, 9 and 10 .

President of EEVFAM, Renu Takhellambam while briefing media persons today at the office of Human Rights Alert (HRA), Kwakeithel, said that the alleged fake encounter cases filed by HRA and EEVFAM include extra judicial killings by police personnel and security forces are progressing in the right direction.

She said that even though justice is yet to be delivered, EEVFAM and HRA have high expectations from the apex Court of the country that justice will be delivered.

Meanwhile, director of HRA, Babloo Loitongbam stated that there has been some misrepresentation in some reports in some newspapers of the said hearing some days back.

There was no objection from the side of the State Security force to initiate an investigation.

But the Attorney General who is representing the Army and Paramilitary forces (the Assam Rifles) objected the plea of the petitioners that army personnel involved in the joint or independent operations should not be spared and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) should be constituted.

Babloo further said the authorities concerned including the Army should have initiated their own Court Martial which is under the Army Act within a period of three years.

All complaints regarding the killings were lodged in the concerned department by family members and CSOs at that point of time, he added.

Now when the time frame has expired the involved personnel should be brought under the criminal investigation.

The Attorney General reflected in the last hearing that the killings were done to protect the Indian Union against internal or external enemies.

To this, the Supreme Court asked the AG to define who the enemy is, Babloo narrated.

He further said that the Supreme Court had also asked why the Army has neglected all the recommendations placed by the United Nations Special rapporteur through the Human Rights Council.

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