DG asked to furnish ATR
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 17 2024: Days after the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) came down heavily and served notice on the Director General of Police and the Security Advisor for security lapses in Jiribam, the Home Department of the Government has asked the DGP to furnish an action taken/status report as directed by the Commission.

Notably, on July 9, the Manipur Human Rights Commission had flayed the DGP and Security Advisor saying the Jiribam violence could have been avoided if appropriate pre-emptive measures were taken up as advised by the office of the Chief Minister on multiple occasions.

The MHRC had categorically stated that the people in Jiribam may not have fled if the authorities concerned had acted on the request of the CM's office in time.

The MHRC was hearing a petition filed by two individuals from Assam's Cachar district when it made the observation.

The petition was filed against Rajiv Singh, Director General of Police and Kuldeip Singh, Security Advisor to the State Government.

The petition alleged that the "failure" of the DGP and the Security Advisor to comply with the instructions and advice of the Chief Minister's office to take up pre-emptive measures led to the attacks in Jiribam and people in hundreds fleeing their homes.

Hearing the petition on July 9, the Commission had then served notice on the DGP and the Security Advisor.

Meanwhile, the Home Department's direction to the Director General of Police to furnish an action taken/status report today mentioned several instances of lapses in the security arrangements which the MHRC had highlighted and stressed when it heard the petition earlier.

The letter to the DGP shot by Joint Secretary (Home), Ranjan Yumnam also mentioned an allegation against the DGP pertaining to deployment of police personnel in Jiribam.

The allegation that the letter referred to is about deployment of 138 police personnel in Jiribam in June which the petition with the MHRC highlighted.

While an order was issued by the Director General of Police on June 7, 2024 for deployment of 138 police personnel, the petition alleged that these personnel have not been deployed in vulnerable areas of Lamtaikhunou.

Further, the petition claimed that the 138 police personnel allegedly include individuals who are dead or in jail.

The Home Department's letter to the DGP further mentioned several requests made by the Chief Minister's office to the DGP which were allegedly not pursued.

It cited that on January 15, 2024, the office of the Chief Minister informed the DGP about movement of 200 armed Kuki-Zo militants to Jiribam, and the latter was requested to take necessary measures to prevent incidents [of violence] .

Notably, violence first erupted in Jiribam in June and this apparent warning on buildup of armed militants in the district was made months before in January.

Violence broke out in Jiribam after a farmer belonging to the Meitei community was abducted and murdered by Kuki militants on June 6, 2024 .

The Home Department's letter cited another instance where the DGP was again requested to take measures regarding the build-up of armed Kuki militants on January 27, 2024 .

It said the CM's office requested the Director General of Police to take counter measures for incidents of gunfire in Jiribam and reports of miscreants moving towards Vangai Range.

It may be noted here that the original letter, shot to the DGP by the Secretary to CM, said there were movement of "armed miscreants from Churachandpur" towards Vangai Range bordering areas of Jiribam, and it asked the DGP to take adequate pre-emptive measures including domination of strategic locations using Central and State security forces.

Significantly, it said the ITLF (Indigenous Tribal Leader's Forum) was reportedly considering cutting off supply lines to Imphal Valley via Jiribam.

Further, citing another instance where the DGP was informed about possible attempt to loot arms and ammunition from the 7 IRB in Jiribam, the Home Department asked the Director General of Police to furnish an Action Taken Report/Status Report as desired by MHRC at the earliest.

Comment