MHRC seeks report from State, Centre
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 08 2023:
The Manipur Human Rights Commission, in an order issued today, sought status report from both the Manipur and the Central Government about the present situation of Manipur in the aftermath of the recent violent incidents and relief work taken up within a period of three weeks from today.
The development came after the secretary of All India Lawyers Union (AILU), Manipur State Committee Salam Pari Luwang filed an instant complaint with a prayer to inquire violation of human rights and abetment and also negligence in the prevention of such violation by the State authority or forces and make necessary recommendation.
"The complainant in its complaint petition alleged the Tribal Solidarity March of May 3 organised by the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) turned violent in Churachandpur in which life and properties belonging to Meetei/Meitei were targeted without any previous warning in Churachandpur and Bishnupur district.
It also detailed retaliation by Meitei and spread of violence to valley and adjoining districts particularly Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal (Moreh), Imphal East, and West, Kakching, Chandel leaving whereabouts of many men, women and children unaccounted for in the said districts," the order read.
The subsequent imposition of curfew from May 3 evening in various districts where relations between the two communities are deteriorating, Centre's intervention, deployment of security forces to calm down the communal situation were also detailed in the complaint, it said.
Acting on the complaint which was filed this afternoon, the Commission has taken judicial notice from print and electronic media where different versions of the cause of the communal disharmony and clashes are being published and broadcasted and noted the need for an enquiry into the incident as it cannot ascertain which version of the story is correct or not.
Considering the grave situation and the allegation made in the complaint petition, the commission decided to take up the matter and issue notice to the State of Manipur as well as Union of India represented by the Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary of Union of India to furnish a status report of the present situation and relief extended to communities affected by the communal disharmony, those who have lost their homestead and properties within a period of three weeks.
Taking notice of relief camps opened by the Government as well as various civil organisations in various part of the State, district administrations effort to curtail prevailing unrest, the MHRC also called upon people to co-operate and restore the peace and tranquillity.
The Commission also took note of the news of the Apex Court (Supreme Court) taking up a matter relating to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the attacks and violence happening in the State and appealed all to wait for the decision of the apex Court.
The Commission went on to exude confidence that all sections of intelligentsia of Meetei and Tribal community including Kuki will work to restore the peace and tranquility in the State and protect the lives and properties as well as the religious faith of all in the State.
The Commission also directed the complainant to serve a copy of the order to the Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur and Home Secretary, Union of India.
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