IMPHAL | Sept 15

The activists of North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) along with DAMMS today protested at Gautam Budh Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) office against police’s gross negligence in the case of the death of a Manipuri youth, Pravish Chanam.

A release said NEFIS Manipur Unit also held a condolence meeting in Khuman Lampak, Imphal, where a large number of students gathered to demand justice for Pravish.

The release alleged that the police have been guilty of gross negligence in the whole matter. Despite the complaint being lodged on September 9, the ‘Person Missing’ pamphlets were issued two days later, it said. The Nithari Police Chowki personnel allegedly did not provide information about an unclaimed dead body despite the matter was being pursued by the police of one station, it continued.

Moreover, when the deceased’s friends went to Nithari Police station which is just opposite to Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hospital on September 13 to inquire about him, they were “brusquely turned out” by the police personnel present there. It was found out yesterday that the body of the deceased was cremated by the Police Chowki on 13th September itself, since it had been lying unclaimed for 72 hours, said the release.

The release alleged “Clearly, it strongly suggests that Nithari Police Chowki personnel had in connivance with criminals disposing off the body, instead of informing the Knowledge Park Police Station where the matter was being investigated.”

NEFIS strongly condemned Noida Police’s negligence regarding the case and has already written to the chief minister of Manipur to intervene and ensure that Pravish’s death is investigated into by the CBI. Demands were made that the probe should especially look into the case from the angle of “connivance between the police personnel, criminals and hospital authorities,” it said.

Pravish had come to Delhi on a visit and had been residing in Safdarjung, Delhi with his friends. On September 8, he went to Knowledge Park to attend a music concert with his friends and was missing after the concert. It has been reported that he was taken in with an injured condition to Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hopspital around 10:30 pm, where he was given first-aid by a doctor, said the release.

The release further stated that is not known whether he was discharged after providing the first-aid or forcibly taken away. The next day, early in the morning, a call was received by the PCR of an injured person in Sector-30 Market.

The PCR personnel reportedly took the injured youth, Pravish to Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hospital, where he subsequently died. A complaint in connection to his disappearance was lodged at Knowledge Park Police Station, Gautam Budh Nagar on September 9, it added.

Due to pressure mounted by NEFIS on Noida Police, three police officers have been suspended including two investigating officers and Knowledge Park SHO has been transferred.

Responding to the NEFIS’s demand for apology from the police for making an irresponsible statement citing “drug overdose” as the reason for Pravish’s death, the SSP clarified that the statement had not been issued by police. NEFIS will be intensifying its efforts in the coming days to seek justice for the deceased, said the release.

IMPHAL | Sept 15

The activists of North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) along with DAMMS today protested at Gautam Budh Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) office against police’s gross negligence in the case of the death of a Manipuri youth, Pravish Chanam.

A release said NEFIS Manipur Unit also held a condolence meeting in Khuman Lampak, Imphal, where a large number of students gathered to demand justice for Pravish.

The release alleged that the police have been guilty of gross negligence in the whole matter. Despite the complaint being lodged on September 9, the ‘Person Missing’ pamphlets were issued two days later, it said. The Nithari Police Chowki personnel allegedly did not provide information about an unclaimed dead body despite the matter was being pursued by the police of one station, it continued.

Moreover, when the deceased’s friends went to Nithari Police station which is just opposite to Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hospital on September 13 to inquire about him, they were “brusquely turned out” by the police personnel present there. It was found out yesterday that the body of the deceased was cremated by the Police Chowki on 13th September itself, since it had been lying unclaimed for 72 hours, said the release.

The release alleged “Clearly, it strongly suggests that Nithari Police Chowki personnel had in connivance with criminals disposing off the body, instead of informing the Knowledge Park Police Station where the matter was being investigated.”

NEFIS strongly condemned Noida Police’s negligence regarding the case and has already written to the chief minister of Manipur to intervene and ensure that Pravish’s death is investigated into by the CBI. Demands were made that the probe should especially look into the case from the angle of “connivance between the police personnel, criminals and hospital authorities,” it said.

Pravish had come to Delhi on a visit and had been residing in Safdarjung, Delhi with his friends. On September 8, he went to Knowledge Park to attend a music concert with his friends and was missing after the concert. It has been reported that he was taken in with an injured condition to Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hopspital around 10:30 pm, where he was given first-aid by a doctor, said the release.

The release further stated that is not known whether he was discharged after providing the first-aid or forcibly taken away. The next day, early in the morning, a call was received by the PCR of an injured person in Sector-30 Market.

The PCR personnel reportedly took the injured youth, Pravish to Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hospital, where he subsequently died. A complaint in connection to his disappearance was lodged at Knowledge Park Police Station, Gautam Budh Nagar on September 9, it added.

Due to pressure mounted by NEFIS on Noida Police, three police officers have been suspended including two investigating officers and Knowledge Park SHO has been transferred.

Responding to the NEFIS’s demand for apology from the police for making an irresponsible statement citing “drug overdose” as the reason for Pravish’s death, the SSP clarified that the statement had not been issued by police. NEFIS will be intensifying its efforts in the coming days to seek justice for the deceased, said the release.