Abandoned by State Govt, MHRC remains defunct for last 2 years
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 12 2012: Neglected by the state government, Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), which was set up with the stated objective of looking after cases of human rights violation in the state, has remained defunct for the last two years.

According to reliable sources, the MHRC has stopped functioning since 2010.The Commission ceased its work after retirement of its former Chairman Chief Justice WA Shishak, member M Gourachand, retired Colonel RK Rajendra and Ng Nongyai.

The establishment of a state Human Rights Commission was initiated in 1998 following strong pressure and proposal from various students' organisations and public considering the number of human rights violation cases in the state.

Along with its establishment, the Commission began to provide free legal aid to the victims of human rights violations in the state.

Various cases of human rights violation including forced disappearance, arrestment of individuals without arrest warrants, killing of innocents in fake encounters and rape cases were brought up in the Commission.

The Commission in turn provided legal aids to the victims on whatever cases it could handle and refer those were beyond its capacity to the National Human Rights Commission, sources recalled.

Sources pointed out that in accordance to section 21 of Protection of Human Rights Act, there should be a functioning State Human Rights Commission in every state.

However, the state Government in Manipur has not considered it fit to go with the rules of the Act and has abdicated its responsibility of making the State Human Rights Commission functional.

It further added that one Takhelchangbam Chaoba of Brahmapur Mangjil filed a PIL with the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench against the Chief Secretary and Secretary of Law and Legislative Affairs, Government of Manipur.

Accordingly, the Division Bench comprising Justice T Nandakumar and Justice PK Saikya passed an order on October 19, 2011 advising the State government to fill the vacant post of Chairperson of MHRC within four months time.

However, the State Government, instead of following the directions of the Court has pleaded to give some more time.

Comment