The Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM) on Tuesday raised concerns about the alleged negligence shown by both the Central and state governments in addressing the ongoing violence in Manipur.
The organisation questioned if there are any hidden agendas of the government and expressed alarm over the increasing casualties resulting from the crisis.
“To what extend will the government tolerate further civilian casualties?” it asked during the observance of its 14th foundation day at its office in Kwakeithel, Imphal West.
EEVFAM president Renu Takhellambam, presided over a low-key event where the above concerns were highlighted.
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EEVFAM general secretary Y Edina spoke to the media during the observance, alleging that the government's alleged failure to curb the violence indicated a disregard for the lives of the common people.
Edina further accused the Indian government of employing various tactics to suppress the indigenous population of Manipur, citing the history of extra-judicial killings carried out in the name of counter-insurgency under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
She emphasised that the suffering experienced by families of the victims of both fake encounters and those killed during the ongoing unrest are immeasurable and known only to them.
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“We do not want similar sufferings to be faced by others,” stated Edina, urging the people of Manipur to recognise the real enemy of their state.
The EEVFAM, an organisation established in 2009 to advocate for victims of fake encounter cases, has brought attention to a total of 1,528 pending cases of extra-judicial killings in Manipur before the Supreme Court.
