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IMPHAL, June 13 (Newmai News Network): Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur unit will exert pressure on Central and state governments to initiate political dialogue without any precondition with underground outfits of the state to resolve the insurgency problem, said the party’s outgoing general secretary Langol Iboyaima. 

Speaking at a press conference at Irawati Bhawan Monday, the CPI Manipur outgoing general secretary said that the party has unanimously resolved on five resolutions during the 20th state conference in the presence of its national general secretary AB Bardhan. The three-day-long state conference that started on June 10 concluded Sunday.

The state unit of the party will exert pressure on Central and state government for the repeal of AFSPA from the soil of Manipur, according to the resolutions adopted at the conference, while also resolving that the party will attempt at forming a left and democratic alternative government in the forthcoming general assembly election due early next year, said Mr Iboyaima.

CPI Manipur has been fighting to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state since its inception in 1948 and will continue to do so into the future, inform the outgoing state general secretary about the other resolutions.

The nature of distribution of power between Centre and state as informed by the Constitution of India is unitary in character, and CPI has resolved that the Constitution should be amended to usher in federal polity, he said, while adding that Manipur should be given a special status by the Central government.

Besides the resolutions, the conference also demanded from the Central government the fast tracking of process for the establishment of separate High Court for Manipur and the raising of highway protection force.

It also demanded the handing over of maintenance work of National Highway 53 and 39 to state Public Work Department from BRTF as also public declaration of assets of ministers and MLAs.

During the conference, the state CPI elected Dr M Nara as its new general secretary while L Koireng and Th Nabakumar as its assistant secretaries.

At the press conference, Dr M Nara said that the era of coalition politics is here to stay and the party needed to change its paradigm and strengthen its stand.

A very strong coalition government is indispensable in Manipur in order to solve the problems besetting the state, he said.

Touching on the formation of the state unit of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the ex-minister said that the party does not agree with the “divisive ideology” propounded by NPF which, he said, is bound to have adverse political ramification for the state. CPI national general secretary AB Bardhan had also publicly articulated his reservation on the formation of NPF in Manipur few weeks ago.

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IMPHAL, June 15: The owner of the ill fated Tata Winger which was set on fire allegedly by a UG poser in the early morning of June 13, has this evening clarified that there has been no previous threat or monetary demands imposed upon him or his family members.

Clarifying on the issue, the owner identified as Khundrakpam Loken, of Uyal Makha leikai Thoubal district today convened a pres conference at the Manipur Press Club, this evening.

Speaking to the attending mediapersons, while confirming that there has been no imposition of threat or monetary demands on him or any members of his family, he added that his vehicle was bought with the help of a loan from the MGT motors, in the year 2010.

While quoting his driver, Loken stated that the individual who had set his vehicle ablaze, before identifying himself as a cadre of RPF had simply provided non cooperation from the owner’s side as the reason behind the setting of the vehicle on fire.

He has further requested the concerned party or organization to clarify on the issue.

According to the owner, his Tata Winger has been plying on the Imphal-Dimapur highway since June 11 under one DI counter located at North AOC.

One individual who identified himself as Basanta of Nambol had booked the said vehicle through the DI ticket counter on June 12.

Meeanwhile it may be mentioned that the passenger vehicle was allegedly set on fire by the individualwho identified himself as a RPF cadre early morning of June 13 at Tabungkhok Makha Leikai, under Patsoi police station, Imphal West district.

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Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba

Recently a friend came back from abroad, after spending some weeks here. I was given a detail on how things which are supposed to be mandatory for a civilized society are much at lacking even in the State capital itself.

One at the foremost was the erratic power supply issue, the public is more than aware of the present status, sometimes it becomes a task to charge one’s mobile phone, carrying a mobile charger has become routine and to look at other localities or offices whether if power is there. All these just to charge a phone, the myriad ways that the commercial enterprises must be suffering are left to one’s imagination.

The effectiveness of the Power Department recently concluded drive also fails to address the woes of the public. The drive carried out had disconnected scores of lines of the defaulting consumers and arrested several persons for illegal connections, tariff were collected to the tune of several crores. But ,despite the supposed all out effort of the State Power Department has yielded but naught and the supply remains erratic as ever.

If we dig deeper and the concerned officials are approached for their departments non performance, the reason is always pointed towards one thing only,i.e. the prevailing law and order situation of the state.

It is observed that most of the top executives of the State may ride in fancy cars, have fabulous mansions and have numerous bank accounts with bulging balances, but they lack the air of a contented person. Most have a worn out and apprehensive look, truth be told, they cannot sleep with their gates open nor travel without security escort. And the blame for their condition is still on the law and order, the scare tactics and threats of the UGs.

The blame game is open to both sides, the officials on their part stating that the UG interference and extortion have affected the workings and proper implementation of many schemes aimed at public welfare, whereas the UGs also in their circulars charge the official of high corruption and the blame game continues.

It is pertinent to mention that the factionalism trend of the UG outfits still continues unabated and the extortionist approach sometimes gives the benefit of the doubt to the state officials.

It is heard in many occasions for the insurgent groups need to come under an administrative umbrella as they all have a common objective. A united front if emerged into reality would be beneficial to all. Their struggle for independence would gain momentum and it may be easier for the government to address a political solution which may come in the form of a plebiscite or otherwise. Moreover, public servants cannot blame their shortcomings to a vague splinter organization.

The State government also needs to come clean in addressing the insurgency issues and the recent surrender of PULF cadres which according to Tehelka Magazine was a farce is factually evident by the series of events in itself. If a media house based on its sources announces that a jailbreak will occur and so many prisoners including a high profile convict will escape on a particular date, and later if the jailbreak occurs. It clearly shows that the media house knows about the system working inside the jail and the weaknesses and covert schemes of the concerned jail authorities. Quoting a line from Reggae music legend Bob Marley, “You can fool some people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all of the time” should be acknowledged from all quarters that if the public stands up for their rights, then there will be no stopping them and they are not afraid to lay down their lives for the just cause. A significant example is the observation of the Great June Uprising Day which falls today. The 18 martyrs are the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice neither for money nor independence but for the real love of the land.

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IMPHAL June 17: The week long observance of the 13th foundation day of the Nationalist Congress Party observed by the Manipur Pradesh NCP concluded today at Ima Khunthoknganbi Sanglen today.

The anniversary observance was attended by state NCP president MLA Radhabinod Kiojam,MLAs Th Nandakishore, Salam Joy and Doukhomang Khonsai among other party officials.

Taking digs at the Congress led SPF government, opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam said that the Congress has become unscrupulous and is leading the people on a wrong path. Stating that the insurgent issue needs to be addressed at the foremost and that necessary initiatives has to be taken to bring the misguided youths back to the mainstream. He said that talks must be held between the state and non state actors so as to bring about a congenial atmosphere in the State as there can be no development without peace.

He further said that the NCP believes in upholding the territorial integrity of the State and will never compromise on the issue, he also reminded the fact that Irom Sharmila has been fasting for more than a decade for removal of AFSPA from the State, yet her endeavor has been largely ignored by the state government. He added that if she expires then the State will burn in protest.

MLA Doukhomang in his speech stated that NCP will contest for 25 assembly constituencies in the upcoming elections and will win at least 15 seats. He also said that the next government will have a coalition with the NCP.

MLA Salam Joy also stated that the State is going backwards in development as the Congress believes in doing politics by using money, muscle power and sheer gundaism. Such attitude of the Congress will never be successful in bringing development to the State. He added that the NCP believes in bringing communal harmony and acts with a sacrificing and sincere outlook.

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Manipur stands on a bed of dry tinder today, seemingly ready to break out into an inferno by even the tiniest spark. The hill-valley divide has never been so accentuated, ethnic exclusive politics have ensured the foundation of fraternal bondages between the different communities are shaken, ever expanding population against a stagnant job market has resulted in stiffening competition for them and in unhealthy manner where suspicion is continually bred between the reserved category of job seekers and those in the open category, each believing they have been being short-changed. While those in the reserved category are prone to believe they are being denied their fair share, those in the non-reserved category think they are being made to competed with their hands and legs tied. These perceptions have only resulted in furthering the divide between different communities. While the government remains overwhelmed and clueless as to how to tackle the problem, there are apparently sinister vested interests trying to take advantage of the bad situation and further their dark designs of fomenting ethnic mayhem in the state. The news item in a Nagaland daily in which a previously unheard of organisation called “Naga Crusaders” serving quit notice to Meiteis living in the hill districts is just the latest of these. There can possibly be no other motive behind this than to spark communal hatred and possibly violence. If this indeed was a statement of intent, nothing can be more puerile, considering there are not too many Meiteis living in the hills because of the land regulatory system which prohibits Meiteis and other non-tribals from settling in the hill districts. The opposite however is not true, and hill communities are free to settle in the valley, therefore there is a much greater cosmopolitan mix of population in the valley.

Although the development would have left a bad taste in the mouth, it is not surprising that nobody is taking the threat too seriously. In the past, even at the heights of hill-valley tension, no communal violence of a scale worth mention happened between the valley and hill communities. In fact, observers from outside the state were left confounded that no violence broke out between Nagas and Meiteis even in the aftermath of May 6 last year when two youth were killed at Mao gate protesting the Manipur government’s refusal to allow NSCN(IM) leader Th. Muivah, to enter the state. No communal violence resulted earlier in June 2001 either when there were wide scale street protests against the decision of the Government of India to declare the NSCN(IM) ceasefire “without territorial limits”. It may be recalled that in this protest, on June 18, when the crowd turned violent, 18 protestors lost their lives in firing by security men and several government infrastructures, including the Manipur State Assembly were burnt down. Yet, all fears of an outbreak of communal violence proved false alarm. The inner integrity of the Manipur society is something to be admired indeed.

Although the present threat is unlikely to have its ostensibly intended effect of inciting communal violence, what needs to be noted by everybody is, the continual friction between the different communities in the state is nothing to be proud of. If it is allowed to continue, this will not be the last time communal forces try to foment violence and hatred. This being the case, the people by and large must remain alert, and more importantly work towards a resolution to the tensions. But the current problem also brings to the fore the danger that sloppy vetting for unsubstantiated inflammatory messages by the media before allowing them to go into print, can cause. The editor of the Nagaland newspaper which published the news item has clarified it was an oversight that allowed such a message to find print. Other Naga civil society bodies too have declared that the group is unknown and at best mischief mongers. What the sorry episode has done however is leave a lesson for the media as well. It is imperative now for the media anywhere, but more pertinently in conflict torn states like Manipur where false and provocative news can have grave implication, to be extremely wary of information availed through email by little heard of organisations, especially if their contents are unsubstantiated and can prove inflammatory.

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By: Basantakumar Wareppa, Human Rights Alert
Mr. Ban Kin-moon, UN Secretary General once says, “Torture is a crime under international law.  The prohibition of torture is absolute and unambiguous.  Torture cannot be justified under any circumstances whatsoever, whether during a state of war or in response to terrorism, political instability or any other public emergency”.

However, in Manipur, increasing number of custodial torture leading to death over the past months virtually a matter in interrogation as a systematic trend clearly justify torture as necessary pattern to tackle the law and order situation.

Despite of having India’s legal obligation to combat torture, there is continuing pattern of torture. These patterns are clearly in breach of universally accepted norms of human rights particularly International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as the right against torture is absolute and non-derogable. The United Nations Code of Conduct has bolstered this for Law Officials Enforcement.

Every possible effort to address the issue of torture has been made by the torture victims with full support from Human Rights groups appear to have no meaning yet. At present, India has no functional domestic legal framework to address the question of torture. Lacking of legal framework is not only the sole reason but also non-implementation and misinterpretation of the existing little mechanism is other major factors. Implementing agencies often make the victims wrongly interpret/believe the available legal mechanism and such has a serious implication to address this issue.

In one such example, mandatory video filming of the post-mortem procedure for custodial death/encounter killing is presumed to be sought permission from concerned executive magistrate as a require legal step. But as per National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) letter No. 66/SG/NHRC/93 to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories dated 14 December 1993 clearly directed the concerned District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police is to report every custodial death to the Secretary General of the Commission within 24 hours. In another letter to all Chief Ministers of States dated 10 August 1995 that the post-mortem examinations done in respect of the death in police custody and jails should be video-filmed and cassettes be sent to the Commission along with post-mortem report. The Commission has further stated that the process of video-filming will involve extra cost but human life is more valuable than the cost of video-filming which was also reaffirmed in a latter No. NHRC/ID/PM/96/57 dated 2
7 March 1997. The Commission has also cautioned that the failure to report promptly would give rise to presumption that there was an attempt to suppress the incident.

To address the issue of torture, firm stand and determination of the victim could only make little hope. One respected teacher who himself was a torture victim has proof such a little hope. Mr. Gopeshor Singh is a respected member of his community due to his profession as teacher. It may be noted that Mr. Gopeshor was arrested by a team of Indian Army from 57 Mountain Division on 1 September 2007 after issuing an arrest memo as per the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in its judgment dated 18 December 1996.

Mr. Gopeshor was handed over to Nambol Police Station after subjected to torture during his detention under military custody the next day. The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR), New Delhi has brought the matter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with a subsequent complaint.

After three year of legal hurdle and systematic disturbance, Mr. Gopeshor received compensation of Rs. 25,000/- (Twenty five thousand only) following the specific recommendation by the NHRC vide letter number 24/14/4/07-08/UC dated 9 December 2010. In the recommendation to the Human Rights Cell of Additional Directorate General Discipline and Vigilance Adjutant General’s Branch, Head Quarter, Ministry of Defense (Army), DHQ, New Delhi to award a sum of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand only) for meeting the expenditure towards payment of compensation to Mr. Gopeshor.

In order to prevent such serious forms of violation of human rights and to make transparency and accountable, the authorities concerned is to follow legally establish procedure for the end of justice. Therefore, the recent bill on the Prevention of Torture which has been passed by the lower house of the Indian Parliament needs to incorporate the essence and spirit of the international human rights standards particularly UN Convention against Torture which the Government of India has already signed.

Note: This article is written dedicating to those survivors of torture to mark the observance of UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 2011.

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