Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 04, 2009:
Reacting to the Assam Rifles PRO's write up that JACs were formed after neutralisation or apprehension of UG cadres in the State of Manipur, the JAC Against the Killing of Ch Sanjit has questioned the credentials of security forces.
Before making such hollow and prejudiced comments, the PRO should have analysed the track records of the Assam Rifles in Manipur first, said the JAC.
They have been involved in several cases of fake encounters, extortion, rapes, harassments of innocent people and gross abuse of power under the immunity guaranteed by the infamous Armed Forces Special Powers Act, it said.
If the PRO has any sense of responsibility, he should have learnt a lesson from the past incident involving a senior Assam Rifles officer, who was found guilty of fake encounters, extortion, demanding ransom money by arresting innocent persons, it alleged.
The JAC appealed to the PRO not to walk in the footsteps of his senior officer.
It also recalled Thangjam Manorama, who was gang raped and murdered by Assam Rifles personnel, in the most brutal manner.
Under such circumstances, where people are being killed regularly in the name of encounters and counter insurgency operations, it is only natural for the people to find a common platform like the JACs to fight for their lives and justice, the JAC said.
The security forces have even been violating the Supreme Court order which decreed that arrest memo should be given while arresting a person, further charged the JAC.
The general impression is that security forces deployed in the State are above the country's law.
The PRO's statement amounted to encouraging fake encounters staged by security forces including police commandos, the JAC decried.