IMPHAL, July 21: The State cabinet in its meeting held today has decided to institute a judicial inquiry into the death of Sapam Robinhood Singh, 16 son of S Romesh of Keishamthong Thangjam Leirak, then residing at his mother`™s home at Khurai Lairik Yengbam Leikai under Porompat Police Station, Imphal East.
This was conveyed by an office memorandum issued by M Yaiskul Meitei, Special Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur.
Robinhood who was a student of Class XI at Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy reportedly died after sustaining injuries during police action to contain a student rally on July 8.
On the other hand, the Governor has constituted a Drafting Committee for drafting a Bill for protection of indigenous people of Manipur.
The committee includes Revenue, Law & Legislative Affairs and Forest & Environment minister Th Debendra Singh as chairman; chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board Dr Ng Bijoy, MLA N Biren , MLA RK Anand Singh as members and Special Secretary (Home) M Yaiskul Meitei as convener.
The committee may co-opt representatives of JCILPS as Members and shall submit the draft bill at the earliest so that the state government may introduce the bill in the Manipur Legislatives Assembly within one month.
Meanwhile, a core committee comprising of 11 advocates from bar associations of High Court of Manipur has been formed today to facilitate drafting of a new bill acceptable to the people.
Advocate N Kumarjit has been made as the chairman of the core committee.
Announcing the formation of the committee, advocate Kumarjit asserted that the committee will give advice and suggestion to the State government on drafting of a new bill acceptable to the people.
He informed that the committee is trying to produce a draft bill from its side as well and the same will be submitted to the government.
Preparation of the draft bill will be completed within July 24, he said.
Whether to validate or invalidate the bill to be prepared by the committee depend on the wishes of the government and people. However, the proposed bill will be related to ILPS, he said.
It may be mentioned that a meeting between representatives of the government led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and 12 legal experts from bar associations of High Court of Manipur was convened on July 17.
The two sides had discussed at length drafting of a new bill acceptable to the people.
It is speculated that the core committee was formed according to the direction gave by the CM during the meeting.