Forum demands urgent action against 'rogue' RAF
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 25 2023:
he Youth's Forum for Protection of Human Rights has submitted a memorandum to the Governor and Chief Minister, calling for immediate action to prevent atrocities and inhumane acts committed by the Central Forces, particularly the Rapid Action Force (RAF), in the state.
The forum strongly condemned the continuous assault on journalists and involvement of the Central Security Force (CSF) and RAF personnel in escalating violence.
The recent incidents of abuse and violence by the CSF and RAF personnel have raised concerns over the deteriorating situation in Manipur, the forum said while highlighting incidents of atrocities and involvement of RAF.
On May 22, JAT Regiment and other Central forces assaulted three journalists, who were covering the resurgence of violence at New Check-on.
The targeted journalists were assaulted despite clearly identifying themselves as media persons.
On the night of May 26, a group of individuals, including three RAF personnel, attacked a beef shop in New Checkon area and attempted to set it on fire.
The RAF personnel, who were in civilian clothing, were pulled up along with a local accomplice.
The RAF personnel identified as Kuldip Singh, Pradip Kumar, and Somdev Araya were placed under suspension.
On June 13, RAF personnel were caught on camera vandalising private vehicles and windows of residential houses in Imphal.
Two RAF personnel, Sub-Inspector MM Hussain and Head Constable Arun Kumar Swain, were suspended following a preliminary inquiry conducted by CRPF.
On June 16, RAF personnel arrested and assaulted numerous unarmed and innocent civilians.
One Ningombam Sunil, a resident of Brahmapur Lalji Lakpa Leikai, was reportedly assaulted at his residence without any provocation or inquiry by the RAF personnel.
On June 17, the general secretary of AMWJU, Athok-pam Jiten, and the Games and Sports Secretaiy, Moirangth-em Khagemba Meetei, were allegedly assaulted by a RAF team near Singjamei Police Station.
In a separate incident, video journalist Ibungo Laish-ram also faced a similar situation with the same RAF team.
On June 23, Haobam Pravin-kumar, a sub-editor of Ichel Express, was detained and assaulted by RAF personnel at Khurai Popular High School.
On June 24, personnel of the Central Security Force broke into the house of Nabakumar Khagokpam, the internal auditor of AMWJU, damaging his property and conducting a search under the pretext of pursuing miscreants.
On the same day, an ambulance of Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur Branch, was prevented from reaching Yaingangpokpi in Imphal East by the Indian Army, violating the international humanitarian law and its optional protocols.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder that the freedom of the press, considered the fourth pillar of democracy, is under threat in Manipur, the forum said in its memorandum and demanded the Governor and chief minister to direct the Central Security Forces to cease all atrocities against media persons and medical personnel, allowing them to perform their duties without hindrance.
The forum also demanded to put an immediate stop to the Central Government's sanctioned violence under the AFSPA, 1958, by employing the Central Security Forces; remove AFSPA from Manipur; and to recommend the Central Government to withdraw its Support of Operations (SoO) agreement with "militants who are in nexus with the CSF", for violating ground rules and inflicting violence and atrocities upon innocent civilians.
The forum urged the heads of the government to consider the demand as urgent matters and take necessary actions in the best interest of the people of the state, to protect the rights and safety of the citizens and to restore peace in the state.
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