The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has been approached for direction to the investigating officers of Manipur Police to record statements of all IDPs who are currently taking refuge at various IDP camps in Jiribam.
Two complainants, a retired principal from Silchar and an advocate from Cachar, approached the MHRC for direction to the investigating officers of Manipur Police to record statements of all IDPs who are currently taking refuge at various IDP camps in Jiribam.
In the complaint letter, they stated that the situation in Jiribam became worse as armed Kuki militants/miscreants started attacking Meitei villages in Barak Circle. On June 8, 2024 at about 2.30 am, armed militant groups suspected to be Kuki militants who came in boats along the river attacked a police outpost located at Borobekra in Jiribam Sub-Division.
The Kuki militants also torched Jirimukh police outpost located at Chhotobekra and Goakhal Forest Beat office. One police personnel posted at a police outpost in Borobekra in Jiribam Sub-Division, a few kilometers from Chotobekra informed that they (suspected insurgent) came in boats, and attacked the outpost in the dark. The suspected insurgents attacked many villages along the river.
The villagers of Bhutangkhal, Harinagar, Modhupur and Lamtai Khunou rushed to Borobekra police station for their safety and security.
It stated that not a single statement of any of the IDPs who witnessed the incident is recorded. The statement of the wife and son of deceased Sharatkumar who was murdered after being abducted from his farm is also not recorded and a copy of FIR which was registered in connection with the murder of Sharatkumar is also not furnished to his family. The suffering of Sharatkumar’s family members and other IDPs remain severe and no justice is delivered to them till date.
Moreover, not a single public servant or authority who either failed to discharge their duty in protecting the life of citizens or investigating the case are held accountable, the complainants stated.
They also sought speedy investigation, prosecution and punishment of the guilty of all the persons including those who were involved in the murdering of Sharatkumar.
The complainants also stated that there has been gross negligence on the part of the Director General of Police, Manipur and Advisor (Security) to the Government of Manipur in the prevention of human rights violation perpetrated by suspected Kuki militants in Jiribam district particularly the Meitei villagers living in Lamtai Khunou, Loukoibung, Harinagar, Naryanpur, Bhutangkhal and Leisabithol.
They stated that in January, 2024, two letters from secretary to the chief minister were sent to DGP, Manipur for providing necessary security measures in order to prevent any untoward incidents in Jiribam, following the movement of armed militants and gun fire incidents; a copy of the letter was furnished to the security advisor as well as to the chief secretary of Manipur.
Further, in the month of January itself, district police of Jiribam issued a message to ADGP(LO), Manipur for the same necessary measures following the gun fire incident. But, those letters were neglected by concerns.
Due to non enforcement of law in Jiribam, there is complete denial of the protection accorded to the citizens of India, particularly those residing in remote villages of Jiribam under Article 21 of the Constitution of India – the right to life, said the complainants, who approached the Manipur Human Rights Commission for direction to authority stated.
