Imphal,
7th November, ‘09
PRESS RELEASE
A team of concerned citizens comprising Dr. K.S. Subramanian, IPS
(retd.), formerly of the Manipur-Tripura cadre and currently Visiting
Professor, Jamia Millia University, New Delhi, Sumit Chakravartty,
Editor, Mainstream, Kavita Srivastava, PUCL National Secretary, and
Vasundhara Jairath of Delhi Solidarity Group is on a fact finding
mission to Manipur from 5th of November onwards in the wake of the
heightened tensions in the State since July 2009. Shri. Prabhash
Joshi, veteran Hindi journalist and a consistent voice against
violation of human rights, who was to join the team on 6th of November
and had expressed grave concern over the situation in Manipur, asking
his doctor to allow him this visit, possibly his last to the state,
sadly passed away due to a cardiac arrest on 5th night. We are left
shocked and greatly saddened by this sudden loss. His undaunting
commitment to justice, peace and free speech shall continue to inspire
young and old, particularly in the field of journalism.
Our Terms of References are:
1. Visit and interact with families of those killed in alleged fake encounters.
2. Take account of the number of people killed, arrested, tortured,
detained, etc by forces.
3. Interact with those in jail or those released after detention/arrest.
4. Meet the CM, and other officials concerned with the law and order situation.
5. Prepare a narrative and photo documentation of the visit.
6. Compile a comprehensive report of the facts collected with analysis
and recommendations and present it to all the stakeholders and
national/regional media.
In the last three days in Manipur we have met a cross-section of
people here including the Chief Minister, DGP, IG Human Rights and
Prisons, members of the civil society, citizens’ groups, academics,
mediapersons and families of the victims of State violence.
At the meeting with the CM, where the DGP was present, the general
situation in the State was reviewed. The DGP confirmed that over 260
people have been killed since January 2009 and asserted that all of
them were underground activists. When the committee expressed concern
that more than a fourth of prisoners in Manipur were detained under
the NSA and brought up the case of human rights defender Jiten Yumnam,
the DGP defended his detention and said he too was connected with the
underground. The CM said he was prepared for a second round of talks
with those agitating over the 23rd July killings, after the first
round on October 31, 2009 but several of their demands could never be
met. Regarding the AFSPA, he said the matter rests with the Centre.
The team members appealed to the government that in order to prevent
further alienation of the citizens from the State, each killing must
be properly investigated, the NSA cases reviewed and the family
members of the deceased appropriately rehabilitated through a just
rehabilitation policy. We also raised the issue of Irom Sharmila’s
health, accommodation and access in the hospital.
On the 6th of November the team was happy to meet Irom Sharmila Chanu,
now on the 10th year of her heroic fast against the Armed Forces
Special Powers Act, 1958. It calls upon the government to provide
similar access to other civil society members. Her family members
should be permitted to meet her on a regular basis. Being allowed only
a limited number of visitors, she expressed her desire to meet, see
and speak to more people more often. Her strength and courage in
undertaking the longest satyagraha in the world, completely peaceful
and non-violent, leaves us in awe of her struggle. Her demand for the
repeal of the AFSPA should be actively considered in the light of
several official recommendations.
Since Mahashweta Devi was denied permission to meet her the previous
day, Sharmila handed over a letter to the team members for the
respected Magsaysay Award winner. She further expressed her concern
over the number of innocents that were dying everyday in Manipur due
to the high degree of violence in the State.
Through our discussions in Imphal, we have come across repeated
allegations against the security forces. The team expresses its deep
concern over the deteriorating situation and the prevailing climate of
impunity in Manipur. It conveys its solidarity with the victims of
violence and calls for adequate recompense to the hapless women and
children who have lost their husbands/fathers/sons/sole bread-winners
and ensure employment opportunities to them.
Many have alleged these killings as fake encounters – as killings of
innocents who perished either in custody or otherwise, but without
legal sanction. Each of these allegations should be transparently
investigated and the guilty punished. Further, there have been charges
of using preventive detention laws to curb citizens’ democratic rights
to protest and freely express their views. The high degree and
frequency of violation of human rights in the State is also cause for
alarm. Restoration of peace and order must go hand in hand with the
promotion of the rule of law and justice for the sustenance of
democracy.
This is an interim report. The final report will follow. We hope to
release the findings of the team on the 18th of November, 2009 in New
Delhi.
The team feels that the consequences of continuing violence would be
disastrous and adversely affect peace-building and reconciliation in
society.
