Justice still awaited: EEVFAM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2025: The Extrajudicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM) has stated that families of those killed in alleged fake encounters by security forces still await justice.

Addressing the 16th foundation day of EEVFAM held at Lamyanba Shanglen at Palace Compound today, Renu Takhellambam, president of the Association, said that justice remains elusive for the victim families despite the cases of fake encounter being investigated by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as per the Supreme Court's order.

A two-minute silence was observed during the event which was held under the theme "Respect the Rights of the Victims" to pay tribute to victims of alleged fake encounters.

While prosecution sanctions have been issued against some security personnel in fake encounter cases, none have been convicted so far, she said.

Apart from some victim families receiving compensation, justice has been largely undelivered for those killed in fake encounters, Renu said, asserting that delay in justice amounts to denial of justice.

Renu stated that EEVFAM's investigation into alleged fake encounter cases revealed that FIRs were registered against the victims at police stations, but none were registered against the security personnel responsible for the killings.

She further claimed that in 2012, EEVFAM approached the Supreme Court, submitting a list of over 1,500 victims of alleged extrajudicial killings by security forces.

Following the Supreme Court's order on January 4, 2013, six Special Investigation Teams were formed to probe fake encounter cases, and investigations confirmed that all six cases were indeed fake encounters, she said.

Expressing concern about the impunity enjoyed by security forces under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, Renu highlighted that numerous cases of alleged human rights abuses, including rape, sexual assaults, massacres and fake encounters had taken place under the shadow of the AFSPA.

She expressed concern that victims of fake encounters may never receive justice.

EEVFAM, which has members from diverse communities, was founded on July 11, 2009, by widows and mothers who lost their loved ones in fake encounters, she added.

As part of the event, a book titled "United Nations Guiding Principles on International Displacement" was released.

The programme was attended by Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) member Kangjam Khagendra, Associate Professor of Political Science Dr Noni Arambam (Dhanamanjuri University), Assistant Professor (Law) Dr Sapam Dilip (Manipur University), EEVFAM counsel Ningthoukhongjam Subashchandra, Youth Collective Manipur coordinator Aheibam Chanthoi Chanu and People's Progressive Alliance Manipur executive member Md Islahuddin as presidium members.

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