Source: Manipur Mail
Imphal, April 08:
The Meira Paibi of the state submitted memoranda to the Governor and the Chief Minister today demanding repeal of the black laws.
The Meira paibi were flocked together and dropped at Keithelmanbi by police when they were waiting for the team which went to meet the Chief Minister.
Under the banner of Committee Against the Fake Encounter and Custodial Deaths (CAFECOD) Meira Paibi formed two groups to apprise the matter to the Governor and the Chief Minister.
In the memorandum to the Governor it was stated that the heart-rendering cries of mothers and sisters of the innocent citizens falling prey to the bullets of the security forces in fake encounters and in custody may have penetrated the precinct of the Raj Bhawan.
The black laws have become the messenger of death it was pointed out.
It was reminded that during a molestation case in Delhi the Home Minister, Defence Minister and the Army Chief went to expressed shock and assured to book the culprits and court martial conducted whereas in Manipur a girl was molested at Jiribam by security forces resulting in the suicide of the girl.
Enquiry was ordered by the state government and the security forces intimidated the witnesses so the commission had to shift to Imphal.
Third degree torture is used during interrogation and after the victim dies a story is cooked to say he was killed in an encounter.
They said they have no alternative but to sacrifice themselves to save innocent lives.
In the memorandum to the Chief Minister it was said on 10 March, 2004 the representatives had an audience with the CM.
As per your assurance the cabinet resolved to hand over the case of custodial death of Khundrakpam Tejkumar Singh to CBI for investigation.
However, the security forces are carrying on with their evil acts of fake encounters and custodial killings unabated.
On 10 March itself, Khawirakpam Ratan Singh of New Sekamai Bazar fell prey to the bullets of security forces in a doctored fake encounter after the was picked up by them from his home.
The Meira Paibis are greatly distressed and alarmed By the high handed attitude and dastardly actions of Security Forces.
Rather than protecting the lives of people, they have .turned into messenger of Death under the immunity granted to them by the Armed Forces Special power Act, 1958.While the Security Forces are indulging in their evil act, the state government is watching them in mute silence in utter helplessness.
Our fundamental right to live and liberty has been denied to us and the survival of our children itself is at grave stake.
The heart rendering cries of the mothers and sisters of the innocent citizens falling prey to the bullets of the security forces must have penetrated the precinct of State Secretariat.
But the State administration has miserably faille to restore any semblance of confidence in its citizen.
To say the least we have lost all hopes on the capability of the state administration to check the may hem let loose by the security forces on the innocent citizens.
At this critical juncture of the state, the Meira Paibis have joined hands to demand revoking of disturbed area from our state to pave the way for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958.If need arises, we have resolved to sacrifice ourselves to achieve our aim.
Those trying to submit memorandum to the Governor were taken to an undisclosed place by the police while those waiting for the three delegates to meet the Chief Minister were picked up and dropped at Keithelmanbi.
The three members who met the Chief Minister said the Chief Minister expressed inability to repeal the black laws or remove the disturbed area status.
In the scuffle near the Chief Minister's scuffle a woman collapsed.