Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 29:
The general concept of viewing gross human rights violations only against the security forces would be incorrect in view of the violent activities committed by various unlawful organizations, asserted chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commission Justice (Retd) WA Shishak.
Speaking as the chief guest at the valedictory function of the "International Week of the Disappeared" at the premises of Manipur Press Club today, Shishak stated that the primary duty of the armed forces is to safeguard the nation and the civil populace but if they turn perpetrators of inhuman crimes, people should not hesitate but fight them in accordance with the law of the country", Shishak said adding that there have been gross violation of human rights committed by the armed forces in the State.
Divulging on it, he recalled many a cases of forced disappearances, extra judicial killings and other forms of human rights violations committed by security forces particularly by the Central forces were taken up by him while he was working as Judge at Gauhati High Court.
But there are certain cases where innocent people are also subjected to other forms of human rights violations by unlawful organizations, he said adding that the rights bodies should eye equally when the question of such rights violation arises.
While lauding the members of the Families of Involuntarily Disappeared's Association, Manipur for extending their utmost efforts in fighting for their rights, the chief guest appealed to the other rights bodies to help in bringing justice to the enforced disappeared families.
In his presidential speech, FIDAM president K Ranjit strongly condemned the State Govt for extending the disturbed area status for another six months amid public outcry to lift the AFSPA.
Stating that FID-AM has completed visiting all the 17 families of the involuntarily disappeared persons during the observation of International week of the Disappeared, Ranjit said FIDAM would embark on a new mission to spread awareness programme among the public on legal aspects.
Prof Rose Mangshi Haokip, president of Kuki Mother's Assn, guests of honour on the occasion called for a united struggle against human rights violators.
She also lauded FIDAM for its efforts in bringing together all the families of the enforced disappeared per- sons under it.