EEVFAM, HRA hail, urge cooperation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 12 2013 : Welcoming the Supreme Court's order to set up an independent panel to investigate six alleged extrajudicial executions in Manipur, the Extrajudicial Execution Victims' Families Association (EEVFAM) and Human Rights Alert (HRA) have urged the authorities of the State Government to extend full cooperation to the three-member panel.

Speaking to reporters today at Manipur Press Club, president of EEVFAM, Reenu Takhellambam said even as though many youth of the State were allegedly executed by security forces, no justice has been delivered to the victims' families and next of kins.

Extrajudicial executions in the State have left many women widowed and separated many other from their wards/sons, Reenu observed.

Welcoming the steps initiated by the Supreme Court to probe six cases of alleged extrajudicial killings in the State, Reenu urged the victims' families to cooperate with the panel in their efforts to bring justice.

It may be mentioned that the apex Court's order to probe six extrajudicial execution in the State came as a response to a PIL filed by EEVFAM and a human rights organisation that sought the intervention of Supreme Court in 1528 cases of extrajudicial killings during the period 1979-2012 .

A division bench of the Supreme Court consisting Justice Aftab Alam and Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai had ordered a panel to probe the cases on January 4 this year.

Members of the Commission included retired Judge of Supreme Court Santosh Hegde, former CEC JM Lyngdoh and former Karnataka Police chief, AK Singh.

The members were instructed to submit their reports within 12 weeks.

Addressing the press meet, Executive Director of HRA, Babloo Loitongbam said the findings of the panel members in the six cases would be of immense significance for the people of the State.

The panel would study the modus operandi of the police and security forces in the State as well as trace the circumstances leading to the death of seven victims covered in the six cases, Babloo said.

He further said that the PIL filed by EEVFAM in the Supreme Court was not against any individual, but with an intention to solve the problem of violation of right to life in the State.

Amidst all threats and enticements to withdraw the cases, Babloo urged the victims' families to extend cooperation to the Supreme Court appointed panel in their quest for justice and ensure timely completion of the investigation.

He also urged all concerned civil society organisations and Government authority to extend cooperation to the probing panel.

Addressing the press meet, mother of (L) Oshinjit of Keishampat Jailer Leirak, whose case is also to be probed by the commission said her son was arrested and killed instantly, wondering still the faults of her son whatever.

She urged the commission to bring justice on her son's death.

Father of a twelve-year old victim, Ajad Khan, from Phoubakchao Makha Leikai, said his son, a class VII student then was shot by a combined team of 23 AR and State police commandos after dragging him just 40/50 metres away from their verandah on charge that he belonged to an underground group.

Mother of another victim, Elangbam Sakhenbi said her son went to herd the family's cattles at Thoubal Khunou.

He was carrying a rope with him when he left home.

However, security forces claimed that he was killed in an encounter with a combined security forces at Lamlai.

Mother of (L) Akoijam Priyo of Mongsangei said her son was killed as a KYKL cadre and then a KCP cadre.

Relatives of Sobin and Nobo, another victims of alleged extrajudicial executions, have also attended the press meet.

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