Imphal, May 10 2009: The compilation on cases of human rights atrocities published in booklet form has been released by the Manipur Human Rights Com mission member Ng Nongyai at the Palace Compound office of human Rights Initiative today.

The booklet prepared by the Human Rights Initiative is published every four months under the title 'Justice First'.

In his address as the chief guest, Nongyai confided that there is continuous effort from the side of the Government to sent feelers and bring leaders of under-ground organisations to the negotiating table.

However, the Commission Member conceded that such initiative are 'unofficial' practices of the Government.

Nongyai's remark on the peace gesture was apparently in reference to a recent comment by the vice president of the proscribed Revolutionary people's Front that the outfit is yet to get a formal intimation from either the State or Central authorities to solve the insurgency problems through talks.

In a scathing reference to instances of civilians slain by the security forces, he reminded that establishing guilt, if any, rests with the court of law and under no circumstance should the security force personnel assume they have been empowered to eliminate any person on the mere ground of suspicion.

Presenting the presidential address, chairperson of the Human Rights Initiative (HRI) Dr RK Ranjan insisted that law members of enforcing agencies deployed in the State seldom comply with the prescribed norms.

In substantiation of his statement, Dr Ranjan said only when the security forces who claim to have recovered weapons from activists of banned groups destroy the confiscated arms with the public as witnesses would the commoners have faith in activities of the men in uniform.

In his address, HRI executive director LC Jenine contended that 50 percent of those slain by security forces were themselves (victims) either close to the law enforcing agencies or familiar to them while the remaining victims were not law abiding citizens.

Cautioning on the futility of random killing perperated by the security personnel, he also noted that the ultimate sufferer of excesses committed by security personnel are the surviving members of the victim.

Given the conflict situation in the State, there have been several instances of human rights violation by both State and non-State actors.

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