The Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) has urged the Manipur governor and chief minister to stop the alleged violence and inhumane act committed by central security forces especially the Rapid Action Force (RAF) amid the prevailing crisis in Manipur.
The youth forum also strongly condemned the continuous atrocities meted out towards journalists of Manipur while performing their duties by the CSF, especially the RAF personnel and also their alleged involvement in escalating the violence in the state.
In a letter to the governor and chief minister on Saturday (June 24) signed by T Sadishkanta, Secretary of YFPHR, the forum mentioned May 22 incident wherein JAT regiment and other Central forces physically assaulted three journalists covering the resurgence of violence at New Checkon; May 26 incident where three RAF personnel attacked a beef shop in the New Checkon area; June 13 incident wherein RAF vandalised private vehicles and windows of residential houses at Singjamei Yumnam Leikai and Moirangkhom in Imphal.
The forum further mentioned the June 16 incident where many unarmed and innocent civilians were reportedly arrested and assaulted by the RAF personnel; June 17 incident where AMWJU general secretary Athokpam Jiten from Koirou, Thongju and Games and Sports Secretary Moirangthem Khagemba Meetei from Kyamgei Maning Leikai were allegedly assaulted by a RAF team near Singjamei Police Station at Kakwa and the June 24 incident where, at around 1.10 am, personnel of the Central security force entered the house of AMWJU's internal auditor, Nabakumar Khagokpam at Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai by breaking the fence made of GI sheets.
An ambulance belonging to the Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur Branch was prevented by the army personnel from heading towards Yaingangpokpi area in Imphal East District by the Indian Armed Forces which is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law and its optional protocols, the forum added.
Stating that the aforementioned facts are just the tip of the iceberg with many left unreported, the forum stated that one cannot deny the fact that the Fourth Pillar of democracy is under more threat than what might be the situation of the innocent citizens in the state of Manipur.
Detailing series of incidence, the youth forum stated that as per our observation from various reports, the one sidedness of the Central Security Forces (CSF) especially the Assam Rifles posted in the state of Manipur is pouring oil to escalate the violence and it is fully backed by the Central Government which is an act of war crime and will be liable to be investigated under various laws of the Country and also the International Laws.
Committing such an act and the silence of both the state government and Central government is further observed to be an act of irresponsibility to govern the state and nation at large.
The youth forum urged the governor and the CM to direct the central security forces to immediately stop the atrocities committed against the media personnel and medical representatives and allow them free passes while discharging their duties; to immediately stop the central government designed atrocities and violence under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 by using the Central Security Forces (CSF); repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur.
The forum also urged the governor and the CM to recommend the Central Government to immediately withdraw SoO with Militants in Nexus with the CSF who are violating the ground rules and committing serious violence & atrocities to the innocent civilians.