ALLEGATIONS of human rights violations by security personnel in North-East are nothing new. Civil rights groups have often been registering their protests against such violations over the past few decades.

Thousands of Manipuris recently staged protest against the controversial ‘’encounter killing’’ of eleven people, including a college student, between February 26 and March 10 in separate incidents in various parts of Manipur after they were allegedly picked up by Assam Rifles personnel, deployed in counter-insurgency operations in  the State. 

The protest rally was flagged from Thangmeiband Athletic Union (THAU) ground in Thangmeiband area of Imphal West district.Dr L. Pardesi, Convernor of Committee of Human Rights (CPHR) Manipur, said the recent killings were politically motivated. The rally wove through Khoyathong, North Aoc, Hafiz Hatta, Old Checkon, Porompat, Lamlong Bridge, Dingku Road and Khongnang Ani Karak to converge at the starting point for a public meeting. Hundreds of women in their traditional mourning attire also participated in the rally, shouting slogans like ‘’Go back Indian Army’’, “Don’t kill innocents’’, ‘’Stop killing’’, ‘’Honour right to life’’, ‘’Punish killer jawans’’ and ‘’Stop genocide’’.

The rally was called by the Threatened Indigenous People’s Society (TIPS), the Chanura Lamjinglen Kangleipak (CLK), Committee on Human Rights (COHR) and Human Rights Alert (HRA), Manipur, had the support of many other civil and student organisations, including the  owerful All Tribal Students’ Union (ATSUM), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF) and All Manipur Students Union (AMSU).

A joint statement by four major students’ bodies in the State — All Tribal Students’ Union (ATSU), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF) and All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) — has charged the State Government of remaining a mute spectator to the atrocities committed by the security forces.The Ethno Heritage Council has denounced the killings, stating that the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 and many other draconian laws in the state have encouraged the security personnel to kill innocent civilians in the name of counter-insurgency. Other organisations such as the All India Students’ Federation,

Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF), Loumi Sinmi Apunba Lup Manipur, Momnu Eerikkhombi Lup, Thoubal District Development and Demand Council, All Club Organization Association and Meira Paibi Lups (ACOAM Lup), Eastern Manipur United Clubs Organisation Nongdam, the Sawombung Kabui Youth Club, Modern Youth Club Nongada, United Women Development Organisation   Bishnupur also supported the rally.

Meanwhile security has been tightened around BJP and Congress party offices after two underground outfits boycotted the candidates fielded by the two political parties. The Revolutionary Peoples’ Party and the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup had issued separate statements boycotting the candidates. The outfits have also opposed any electoral activities. In view of the threats, police is providing special security to the candidates.

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