Why Police killed Robinhood?

S Dhanabir *

The killing of Robinhood on 8th July by Manipur police is the serious violation of Art.21 Right to Life of the Constitution of India, United Nations Declaration on the Right of the Indigenous People (A/61/L.67 and Add.1), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Right as well as Vienna Declaration and Programs of Actions.

India is a democratic country and important state party to UN. Therefore India has the International obligation and responsibility to respect and promote the International Instruments to protect her citizen.

All the above mention instruments affirm the fundamental importance of the right to determination of all the peoples, by virtue of which they freely determine our political status and freely pursue their political, economic, social and cultural development. India already signed the UN Declaration on Right of the Indigenous People.

Robinhood along with thousands of students was demanding to enact a law which protects the Indigenous people. Such demand is not against the country. India has the commitment to the United Nation as state party.

Then why Police was allowed to shot the rubber bullet which cause to death of bright, very potential student leader. Government of Manipur and India should not forget that you are killing a child of 16 year. Manipur Government and Indian state have the full responsibility to protect a child in any circumstances. If you fail, then it will be difficult to consider as a democratic country and International actor party to UN.

Article 5: Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions, while retaining their right to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State.

Article 8 (1): Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right not to be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture.

(2). States shall provide effective mechanisms for prevention of, and redress for:
(a) Any action which has the aim or effect of depriving them of their integrity as distinct peoples, or of their cultural values or ethnic identities;
(b) Any action which has the aim or effect of dispossessing them of their lands, territories or resources;
(c) Any form of forced population transfer which has the aim or effect of violating or undermining any of their rights;
(d) Any form of forced assimilation or integration;
(e) Any form of propaganda designed to promote or incite racial or ethnic discrimination directed against them.

Request for urgent action:

1) Urge to fulfill the demand of the JACILP demand to protect the right of the Indigenous People in Manipur. Government of India and Manipur are requested to respect the UN Declaration on the Right of the Indigenous People, International Covenant on Civil and Political Right, International Covenant on Economic, social and cultural right etc.

2) Urge to release all the students who were arrested related to the protest immediately

3) Urge to Govt. of India and Manipur to investigate the case of killing of Robinhood by an independent experts including the police who shot the rubber bullet, the concern authority who gave the order to shot to a child below 18 years, including the Director General of Police, Manipur.

4) Urge to open the schools immediately to respect the Right to Education of the children. Otherwise the department will face the consequences of causes related to violation of child right under the children related laws.