Biren talks tough against cops' conduct
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 09 2015 : It is now clear that police committed no excess during the stand-off with a group of agitating students which resulted in the death of Sapam Robinhood yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Gaikhangam stated on the floor of the House today.

On other hand, Heingang AC MLA N Biren categorically stated that fitting action should be taken up against the involved police personnel and questioned why the House should be in session when a student had been killed in police action.

Seeking attention of the Deputy Chief Minister, Opposition Members Dr I Ibohalbi and Th Shyamkumar raised a call attention motion on the death of a student during a tense confrontation between students and police, and subsequent imposition of curfew.

With a view to allow participation of other Members of the House in discussing the key issue, the call attention motion was taken up as a short duration discussion.

Pointing out that the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant (MRVTMW) Workers Bill 2015 has not only been rejected by the people but has also evoked a mass movement for a more effective legislation, Dr Ibohalbi cautioned that the public agitation has all the potential to snowball into a serious issue which can cripple the entire State.

MRVTMW Bill does not encompass all the points recommended by the all parties' committee.

He suggested the Government to withdraw the Bill sent to the Governor for his consent so that all the points recommended by the all parties' committee are incorporated in the Bill and the Bill is passed by the House for the second time.

Th Shyamkumar asserted that the Government rejected the suggestion to examine the Bill minutely and refer it to the Assembly's select committee.

Now a student has been killed in police firing which is an unmistakeable evidence of lack of training on the part of police personnel, said Shyamkumar while urging the Government to lift the curfew being imposed in Imphal and greater Imphal areas.

Asserting that the police personnel were not tactful enough in handling the volatile situation, L Ibomcha demanded dismissal of all the police personnel involved in the fiasco.

MRVTMW Bill tabled in the State Assembly was quite contrary to what were recommended by the all parties' committee.

Even if the Bill is approved by the Governor, it cannot be implemented.

The Governor would never give his consent to the Bill because of the word 'migrant' used in the Bill.

Ibomcha said that he is facing threats because of being a member of the all parties' committee.

Other members may also face similar threats.

He urged the House to draft a new Bill instead of waiting for a mass uprising like that of the June 2001 uprising.

K Shyam highlighted the importance of analysing the issue collectively and timely correspondence with the protagonists of ILP.

Samuel Risom asserted that he suggested the House to withdraw the MRVTMW Bill 2015 before it was passed since it had all the elements to backfire.

The Government should not be so arrogant to not listen to minority Opposition Members just because it enjoys absolute majority in the House.

While expressing keen desire for the House to condole the death of the student, N Biren questioned whether it was appropriate to continue with the House session when there is curfew in both Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

One of the protesting students died in the stand-off as the police personnel were not efficient enough.

Their (police personnel) cruelty was quite abhorrent.

They were simply watching when the student was writhing in pain on the ground, Biren said.

"It was we who invited agitation.

ILPS is implemented in other States.

Then why are we reluctant to enforce a similar law here ?", Biren continued.

The demand is all about protection of the small indigenous communities.

The MRVTMW Bill should be either withdrawn or rectified, he asserted.

Asking whether the dead student came with a gun, Biren urged the Government to take up befitting action against all guilty police personnel.

RK Anand, Dr Kh Ratankumar, Y Erabot and K Meghachandra too joined the discussion.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam maintained that protection of the State's indigenous people is a common concern for all the legislators as well as the public alike.

But the issue cannot be driven by sentiments alone.

The ongoing movement is the first of its kind since India achieved independence and it is something which other States would like to emulate.

For all these reasons, every step needs to be taken with utmost care.

Presenting a report at the House on the death of the student during confrontation between police and students, Gaikhangam maintained it is crystal clear that police committed no mistake or excess in the death of Sapam Robinhood.

In their efforts to control the uproar, police fired tear gas shells and Robinhood sustained injuries.

He later succumbed to the injuries.

Nonetheless, there is no arm in instituting an enquiry in order to ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the student's death, Gaikhangam added.

On learning about the death of a student, people started marching towards the Assembly complex from different directions and this compelled the Government to impose curfew.

There is also no harm in either withdrawing or rectifying the MRVTMW Bill 2015.The matter may also be consulted with JCILPS.

"But we should not forget that there is something called rule", the Deputy Chief Minister stated.

Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that all the Members should check together how many of the points recommended by the all parties' committee were incorporated into the Bill and how many were missing.

The Government was not very hopeful that the Bill would be approved by the Governor.

Nonetheless, the Government sent the Bill to the Governor with a belief that necessary amendments can be made from time to time in case the Bill receives the Governor's assent.

As expected, the Bill has been reserved for consultation with the President of India.

As it is not clear whether the reserved Bill can be withdrawn or a new Bill should be drafted, the matter demands consultation with legal experts.

The matter can also be discussed by convening a special House session, Ibobi added.

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