COHR calls on Government to remove 'draconian laws which provide safe haven to security forces'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 03 2018: In line with the All India United Protest Programme at Parliament Street in New Delhi under the banner "Campaign against the State Repression on Rights Activists" today, the Committee on Human Rights (COHR) Manipur too staged a sit-in-protest at Kwakeithel Akham Leikai Community Hall to demonstrate solidarity and focus the issues of human rights in the State.

It may be noted that the united protest programme, jointly organised by AISA, Bhim Army, BSCEN, CDRO, CEM, CRPP, DISSC, IAPL, IMK, KYS, LSI, Mazdoor Adhika; Sanghatan, Mazdoor Patrika, Morcha Patrika, NBS, NCHRO, Nowruz and WSS at the Parliament Street demanded repeal of UAPA, NSA, AFSPA and other 'anti-people' laws.

The protest which was held Nationwide demanded speedy trial for 1528 'fake encounter' cases pending in the Supreme Court and punishment for all involved in the cases.

The protest also demanded immediate arrest of 'actual' perpetrators of violence in Bhima Koregaon Shaurya Din Prerna Abhiyan and immediate release of all rights activist of MSS and leaders of Adivasis.

Alleging 'State terror' on social activists and rights defenders, the protest demanded withdrawal of 'false' cases on activists, union leaders and Adivasis and an end to "intimidation, harassment and attacks" against human rights defenders.

The protest at Kwakeithel in Imphal also denounced the 'draconian laws' under which the rights defenders are booked and charged with.

The human rights activists and defenders are denied bail for a long period of time and are not given chance of fair trials under the 'draconian laws', said the protesters demanding removal of the Acts/laws such as UAPA, NSA/PSA and AFSPA.

Speaking to media persons, chairman of Committee on Human Rights Phulindro Konsam said that the protest was held in solidarity with Nationwide protest to save democracy and root out the laws that bind and threaten the human rights.

The protest organised by the Committee on Human Rights pointed out the core human rights issues of the State and condemned the security forces and the Government for their failure in upholding the fundamental human rights.

"Both the Indian Security Forces and law enforcement agency, Police, enjoy de-jure and de-facto impunity for their act of Human Rights violation under the AFSPA and other draconian laws as well as under the policy of the Government," said Committee on Human Rights, Manipur.

The security forces have been deployed in almost all the places including the University campus in the name of the National security and public safety.

Such deployment of security forces have affected the basic rights of the people, claimed the committee.

"The incapability of the legal system to redress people's grievances and deliver justice is directly linked to legal immunity that different types of security forces enjoy impunity in the region, asserted the committee.

The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and UN (CSCHRMUN) had documented more than 1528 cases of 'extrajudicial execution' of noncombatant and innocent people from the 1980 till 2012.The Supreme Court in 2016 had ordered probe into the alleged killings, observing that the use of "excessive or retaliatory force" by the forces or police was not permissible in disturbed areas under the AFSPA.

It also noted that "democracy would be in grave danger" if citizens were killed merely on suspicious that they were enemies of the State.

The Apex Court had earlier pulled up the CBI/SIT over the agency's slow pace of investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings by the security forces in Manipur, asking it to arrest and hold custodial interrogation of the accused if necessary.

The CBI Chief was directed to appear before the next hearing on August 20.It had asked the State Government to examine and segregate the cases related to the local police as well as to provide full co-operation to the CBI/SIT.

"On January 25, 2016, Thounaojam Herojit Singh, Head Constable of CDO, a gallantry award recipient from the Government to India, who is an accused in the charge sheet, made an extra legal confession through print and electronic media stating inter alia that he killed Chungkham Sanjit Meitei by pumping bullets from a point blank range with a 9mm pistol, issued to him, into the chest of Chungkham Sanjit Meitei on July 23, 2009 as ordered by his superior," recalled the COHR.

Citing many other incidents which violated human rights/life, COHR continued that a new incident has surfaced again exposing the wrongs of the security forces in the State.

Lt Col Dharamvir has revealed in his affidavit to High Court about the Army's alleged systematic custodial "murders" of Gypsy and other by CSIU, 3 - Corps Dimapur, said COHR and continued that the State and the Central Government should thoroughly investigate the matter and award befitting punishment to those police/ army personnel involved in the cases.

AMUCO, Poirei Leimarel Apunba Meire Paibi Manipur, MSF, Irabat Foundation and other organisations took part in the protest.

Comment