A team of Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) led by chairperson justice UB Saha along with Md Ziaur Rahman, under secretary, MHRC visited Senapati district headquarters on Thursday to assess the human rights situation in the district.
During the visit, Justice Saha met and interacted with the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Sanapati and other government officials and representatives of civil society organisations and teachers.
During the interaction, civil society leaders narrated the story of how the villagers were subjected to human rights violation by armed forces under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA). They lamented that disturbed area status has been removed from most parts of the valley district, but the government continues to enforce AFSPA in hill districts which is also a violation of their human rights.
In response to the issues raised, Justice Saha urged them to use the service of the MHRC so that the commission could also see if their human rights were violated.
Issues relating to sudden demography change particularly in Kamjong and Tengnoupal district due to ethnic conflict that broke out since May 3 last year were also raised.
They also alleged the armed forces for misusing powers in the pretext of ethnic violence and that the concerned authorities failed to take any action against the security forces.
One civil society leader, who did not want to reveal his name, said that unless the illegal weapons are recovered, it would be difficult for the Naga community to take a mediating role in restoring peace and harmony in the state.
The MHRC chairperson also inspected the district hospital, Senapati.
On the way back, Justice Saha and his team inspected Senapati police station and Sekmai Police station. At Senapati police station, 62 cases were found pending and at Sekmai police station, altogether 557 cases including 24 years old cases were found pending for investigation.
At Kanglatombi Durga Panchayan Mandir, Justice Saha also interacted with the Nepali community. They said that Kanglatombi Dispensary remains closed because of the ethnic violence. They also raised the issue of non-availability of water and cooking gas and that the people had to buy from black market paying higher prices.
