IMPHAL, Jan 12 NNN: Extrajudicial Execution Victims’ Families Association, Manipur (EEVFAM) today welcomed the Supreme Court order for probe into six alleged extrajudicial execution cases in Manipur by an independent panel.
Such ruling issued by the Supreme Court will deliver justice and ward off fake encounters in the state thereby helping to discontinue such act of killings, families of the seven people killed in separate alleged encounters with security forces and police, said.
EEVFAM after joining hands with Human Rights Alert, Manipur (HRA) in October 2012 had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the apex court in relation to 1528 cases of extrajudicial killings that took place from 1979 to 2012 in Manipur.
The Supreme Court, in response to the PIL, has ordered an investigation by an independent panel into the six cases listed in the first compilation of the total 1528 cases, Renu Takhellambam, president, EEVFAM told a press conference at the Manipur Press Club here.
The three-member independent panel appointed by Supreme Court consists of retired Judge of the apex court Santosh Hedge, former Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh and former Karnataka police Chief Ajay Kumar Singh.
The Supreme Court order also directed the panel to submit the investigation report before it on March 4, 2013.
Seven victims named in the six cases of the alleged extrajudicial execution are Azad Khan of Mayang Imphal Phougakchao Makha Leikai, Elangbam Kiranjit of Thoubal Haokha Mamang Leikai, Nameirakpam Nobo from Bashikhong, Nameirakpam Govind, also from Bashikhong, Akoijam Priyobarta of Mongshangei, Chongtham Umakanta of Iroishemba and Khumbongmayum Oceanjit from Keishampat Jailer Leirak.
The Supreme Court has gladden the public and confided them that justice will be done in the alleged fake encounter killings, EEVFAM president Renu further said. She said, “We believe the apex court order could rub out the heavy load of serious contravention of human rights in Manipur for a long time. Such order is warmly welcomed by EEVFAM. I appeal to the families of the victims to extend full cooperation in the probe seeking judgment in the killings.
Saying that EEVFAM does not work against the police, Government and any individual, the NGO works only for protecting human rights of the people so that they can live peacefully, Babaloo Loitongbam, director HRA asserted. He also appealed to the people as well as all the concerned to render support in the investigation.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement by Amnesty International, which was provided to the media for publication by EEVFAM, has also welcomed the January 4 order of the Supreme Court to set up an independent panel to investigate six alleged extra judicial executions in the northeast state of Manipur and urged the Manipur authorities to fully support with the three-member panel.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/eevfam-welcomes-apex-court-order/
