The State Platform of Disabled People Organisations (SPDPO) in Manipur, an apex body for people living with disabilities (PWDs), on Sunday strongly condemned the failure of state authorities to safeguard the rights and lives of persons with disabilities.
The alleged brutal assault and murder of 55-year-old Nongthombam Ingocha, a person living with disability, on March 6 at Langthabal Lep Mayai Leikai, Imphal West sparked great outrage from the PWD community in Manipur.
He was reportedly found brutally assaulted and murdered at his own residence following which the state police arrested three people in connection with the murder who are still in police custody.
One of the three suspects apprehended in the case is a Manipur police Havildar.
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Ingocha is the son of (late) N Mani and became a PWD after an accident left his leg wounded 10 years ago.
Speaking to media at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal, SPDPO chief advisor Sapam Jasubanta asserted that the state government machinery had completely failed to protect the lives of PWDs in Manipur.
“Concerned bodies like the Manipur Human Rights Commission and the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities have abstained from delving into the matter which is a worrisome situation for the safety and protection of PWDs,” he added.
Reacting to the heinous crime, he further questioned if the rule of law had completely vanished from Manipur.
“If those who are trained to protect the lives and properties of people are involved in such criminal activities, who are we going to trust ?” he asked.
As such, he demanded the state authorities to take punitive actions to protect PWDs in Manipur and further called for befitting punishments against the culprits involved in the murder.
Meanwhile, advisor of the Disabled Development Association Manipur (DDAM), Kiran Yendrembam drew the attention of the government to conduct a thorough probe into the murder.
“Locals have informed us that three main suspects frequented the residence of Ingocha and took advantage of his disability and also used his room to party and entertain themselves,” he said.
He informed that the state authority was obliged to protect all PWDs in Manipur under the Rights to Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and also under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He also pointed out the need to investigate the motive behind the entire crime.
“A state police Havildar is also involved in the incident as such the thorough investigation as to why they committed the murder needs to be ascertained,” he said.
