Imphal, September 10, 2009: Denouncing the suggestion of the State Government to stop the inquiry of the Manipur Human Rights Commission into the July 23 Khwairamband Bazar incident as unfortunate, Commission member RK Rajendra has categorically stated that in the event of State Government having its way in this regard, then the advice of the National Human Rights Commission would be sought and filed a case even at the Supreme Court.

Addressing a press conference at his office chamber today, Rajendra pointed out that the inquiry of the Commission into the Khwairamband Bazar incident has begun after an order was issued on July 31. Subsequently, as required in the inquiry, the Commission had conducted spot inquiry, met the family members of slain Rabina and Sanjit as well as the five other people who sustained injuries in the firing and the statements of 33 eyewitnesses have been recorded.However, no response has been received in connection with the notice served to the Police Department for giving its statement to the Commission on August 10 and 11 as well as to the report sought from the Home Department in connection with the incident for submission either on August 24 or August 27, he disclosed.

Regardless of all these, the Commission had reminded the Home Department for giving statement on September 10 and in response this reminder a letter dated August 26 was received from the Government of Manipur yesterday.

The letter suggested that the inquiry of the Commission should be stopped as one-man Judicial Commission headed by Retired Justice PG Agarwal has been started.

Reacting to the suggestion of the Government, Rajendra observed that the inquiry of the Human Rights Commission is the only inquiry that could come up with the truth as it has no fixed terms of reference apart from the fact that it started long before the inquiry headed by retired Justice PG Agarwal.

If the Government really understand the importance and power of the Human Rights Commission set up by itself, then the two inquiries could be allowed to go on side and still better the inquiry of the retired Justice Agarwal can be cancelled, he contended.

Rajendra also informed soon after completion of the inquiry, the Commission would be forwarding recommendations to the Government for providing interim relief to all those who sustained injuries in the Khwairamband Bazar incident.

Comment