The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRA) on Saturday condemned the inability of the Central Government to protect the lives of two young students, Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit, allegedly abducted and murdered by suspected Kuki militants.
Despite complaints by family members, the Indian security forces extensively deployed in Manipur under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 and the Manipur police were allegedly unable to prevent the incident, stated a release.
CRA also condemned the use of excessive force by the Indian security forces on young protesting students against the cold-blooded murder of the two students on September 27 and 28 respectively, it said. The use of pellet guns and bullets by the security forces, injuring the students and threatening their lives is a violation of the ‘right to life’, as provisioned in international human rights laws, it mentioned.
CRA joins the call of aggrieved families and civil societies in Manipur to immediately arrest and punish those involved in the abduction and murder of the two young students, it asserted.
It went on to say that the officials of the Indian security forces deployed in Manipur should be held accountable for their inability to save their lives.
It further urged the central government to institute an inquiry into the excessive use of force and violence by the Indian security forces on young students and punish those involved. It also appealed to initiate urgent steps to control the violence and foster peace and protection of indigenous peoples’ lives and civil liberties in Manipur.
