Imphal, September 03 2009: A general discussion session on the Judicial Inquiry to be conducted into the July 23 Khwairamband Bazar incident, that left two persons killed and five other wounded was held under the aegis of HERICOUN at Manipur Press Club here today.

Retired Judge C Upendra was the moderator of the discussion session at the end of which various recommendations were adopted.

The recommendations include incorporation of some more points to the terms of reference of the Judicial Inquiry instituted by the State Government, handing over the cases of Rabina and Sanjit who were killed in the police firing to the CBI, payment of adequate compensation by the Government to the injured victims, implementation of the recommendations made by earlier Judicial Inquiries into similar cases and summoning of a special session of the State Assembly to adopt a resolution to the effect of ensuring no extra-judicial killing takes place in future.

Earlier, participating in the discussion, Advocate Tomcha pointed out that the police commando unit is a special force that needs to be given special training.

He also pointed out that as per the Supreme Court directive, no person can be killed and even if firing is necessary in trying to arrest an accused person, it should be done below the waist.

Arrested persons should also be produced before the Court, he added.

Vice president of BJP H Token observed that killing of people has become a common phenomenon in Manipur today.

Contending that the Home Minister should be held responsible for the Khwairamband Bazar incident, he also asserted that the Judicial Inquiry is only a ploy of the Government to shirk its responsibility.

Editor of Sanaleibak A Moby maintained that Judicial Inquiry into the Khwairamband Bazar incident would not serve any purpose as past experiences have shown that none of the recommendations mooted by such inquiries have been ever implemented.

All the political parties in the State need to take a definite stand on the present issue, he said.

Member of Manipur Human Rights Commission RK Rajendra said that if the Government really intends to find out the truth then without the institution of another judicial inquiry, it can rely on the recommendations of the inquiry being conducted by the Commission.

What is more important on the part of the Government is to make itself accountable and ensure that no facts are left out from the purview of the inquiry, he added.

MPP president Dr Nimaichand Luwang opined that judicial inquiry should be allowed into the Khwairamband Bazar incident and exert pressure on the Government to implement the recommendations of the inquiry.

However, to ensure free and fair conduct of the inquiry, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh should resign for his post on moral ground as he is guilty of misleading the representatives of 25 lakhs people in the State.

Editor of Naharolgi Thoudang Khoirom Loyalakpa said that the ongoing public agitation demanding justice over the July 23 incident should continue relentlessly.

Wrapping up the discussion session, Upendra observed that judicial inquiry as per se is good but nothing much could be expected from the one being instituted by the Government of Manipur as the term of reference is limited only to finding out the circumstances leading to the incident.

For meaningful inquiry, the term of reference should include points related to identification of the police commandos involved in the incident, why they opened fire and whether it was really necessary, who is responsible for ordering the police commandos to open fire, etc.

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