Open discussion on discovery of human skulls : Committee mooted to launch mass stir
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 08 2015: An open discussion programme held today at Ima Khunthokhanbi premises, Thangmeiband on the recent discovery of eight human skulls and skeletal remains from the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus resolved to form a joint committee which would spearhead a sustained mass movement until the truths of the startling discovery are established.

The discussion programme moderated by All Manipur Bar Association president Khaidem Mani was organised by AMSU.

It was also agreed that AMSU would take the responsibility of forming the joint committee.

The open discussion adopted a number of resolutions, the foremost being all construction works at the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus should be suspended .

Human Rights Alert executive director Babloo Loitongbam, human rights defender Joy Chingakham, social activist RK Ranendrajit, Sunil Karam and FIDAM president K Ranjit spoke at the discussion programme.

Babloo said that DNA test and carbon dating of the skulls and skeletal remains can ascertain whether the dead people were subjected to physical torture before they were dead.

Even as the Government was asked to suspend digging of the erstwhile high school campus after the discovery of human skulls and skeletal remains, earth digging earth went on.

The matter demands collective movement in association with those families whose near and dear ones have disappeared without any trace, he said.

Although the unexpected discovery has perturbed the collective psyche of the mass, the Government was determined to carry on the earth digging work as if construction of market complex was more important than the serious human rights issue that was probably entailed in the discovery.

Ministers and their followers should act in accordance with the pulse of the mass.

Babloo also appealed to all concerned to inform either HRA or FIDAM if there is any family whose near and dear ones have disappeared but went unreported in the media and police.

Stating that there are around 21 cases of involuntary disappearance in the State, K Ranjit said that in some cases police refused to accept missing reports filed by the respective families.

He expressed strong suspicion that the skulls and skeletal remains discovered from the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus might be of those people who disappeared involuntarily.

People do not have any faith in the Government on account of bitter past experiences where many innocent people were killed mercilessly as if there was no Government at all, K Ranjit said.

It is crucial to find out the truths behind the skulls and skeletal remains discovered recently for the sake of justice and in the interest of future generations.

All the people need to take an unambiguous stand on the issue, he asserted.

Expressing the same suspicion that the discovered skulls and skeletal remains might be of those people who disappeared involuntarily, Sunil Karam cited the cases of arbitrary detention and all kinds of excesses committed by security forces under the impunity guaranteed by AFSPA.

Moreover, the erstwhile high school campus was once occupied by BSF, CRPF and police commandos.

How security forces killed people at their will was demonstrated by the cases of Manorama, Rabina and Sanjit.

There is no guarantee that skulls and skeletal remains would not be discovered if Kangla, occupied by Assam Rifles, for a prolonged period is excavated.

Simply entrusting the case to CBI would not be able to bring justice.

Even though CBI was very successful in other States, its credentials remain doubtful in Manipur, Sunil alleged.

The open discussion programme was attended by many civil society organisations, public leaders, students and AMSU president Thiyam Naresh.

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