MHRC directs DGP to update probe
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 04 2023: Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) issued a directive to DGP Manipur to present status report of the Enquiry Committee formed to look into alged excesses committed by security forces against student protestors within November 9 .

Joint hearing of the MHRC complaint case No 224/14/2023 with Mukul Phukon as complainant and security advisor Manipur and others as respondents and MHRC complaint case No 221/14/2023 filed by one Ningthoujam Jeet Singh with the government of Manipur represented by commissioner (home) and others as respondents was conducted in the presence of MHRC chairperson UB Saha and member KK Singh on Tuesday.

As complainants of both the cases relate to excessive actions of security forces against students protesting against the killing of two students by Kuki militants, the commission clubbed both the motions and conducted the joint hearing.

Both the complaints mentioned that several students were injured and hospitalised in excessive actions of state police authority and Central forces while dealing with the protestors.

After careful study of the complaints, the commission issued notice to DGP Manipur to present status report of the said Enquiry Committee.

While noting that DGP Manipur had formed a committee on September 28 to look into allegations against security forces and there had been media reports about government's assurance to bear treatment expenses of all injured students, the commission concluded that there is no need to summon other respondents of the cases other than the state's police chief.

While observing that a team of the commission, if required, could meet injured students presently undergoing treatment at hospitals, the commission decided to issue notice to DGP Manipur to present status report of the Enquiry Commission by November 9.Further, the commission directed SP Imphal West to specify the commander who ordered security forces to act excessively against the students.

Apart from this, the commission asked commissioner (home) to inform about interim compensation amount to injured students in the next hearing.

With the hope that government will provide compensation to injured students apart from bearing all costs of treatment, the commission informed relevant authority to forward copy of the order to chief secretary.

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