IMPHAL, May 25: The Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE), Manipur expressed deepest concern regarding the reported `encounter` that took place in Henjang Village in Senapati District of Manipur.
A statement of the organisation said during the reported encounter, a joint operation of the 11 PARA (SF) and 2 Assam Rifles of9 Sector AR on May 23 allegedly had an armed encounter with militants during which three reportedly unarmed persons, namely, Paolen Khongsai, 40, son of (L) Thongam Khongsai, a church secretary of the village along with Nameirakpam Rajen Singh, 40, son of N. Muhindro Singh of Sunusiphai Awang Leikai of Bishnupur District and Phakuirung Hungyo alias Akhui, 45, of Pangpum Wangli Village, Ukhrul were shot dead by the security forces personnel.
It said, the Kuki Inpi-Saikul Gamkhai, of the supreme traditional house of the Kuki people have alleged that the reported encounter was fake, while the Assam Rifles, in a press release on May 24, have made a counter-claim that the three persons killed were cadres of non-state armed groups and the security forces also arrested one person possessing `two crude IEDs and several rounds of 7.62 MM calibre`.
The AR press release further claimed that with the assistance of Manipur Police officers from Yairipok Police Station and Commandos from Thoubal District Police, a huge cache of arms and munitions was recovered from the scene of the encounter, it said.
The contradictory claims by the Kuki Inpi and the press release of the Assam Rifles raised serious doubts regarding the veracity of the reports, whether a case for `administrative liquidation` according to the Supreme Court of India or extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution according to the United Nations exists, it said.
Considering the fact that the region is under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 by which central Indian armed forces are deployed to assist the civil administration, and that there are existing guidelines for procedures to be initiated in alleged cases of encounter deaths laid down by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India, it said.
The CORE also inquired why despite the AR press release`™s claim that a 24- hour- prior surveillance by the joint team took place on May 23, the Manipur Police and district administration were not informed before the operation took place, it said.
The Supreme Court of India is presently hearing a PIL (Writ Petition (Crl.) No. 129 of 2012) concerning more than 1500 cases of alleged extrajudicial execution in Manipur. In relation to this writ petition, six cases investigated by the Supreme Court appointed Commission found all to be fake encounters.
In these contexts, it is imperative and obligatory to the Government of Manipur to ensure that the definite distinction between a genuine encounter and a case of human rights atrocities as alleged is determined for the ends of justice through an independent and impartial high level Judicial Inquiry to be constituted speedily. It is also expected that the Supreme Court of India and/or National Human Rights Commission may please take up a suo moto case regarding this incident, it said.