IMPHAL, July 9: A day after police action to control a student rally in the State capital resulted in the death of a student of the Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School, the Manipur Police has come under heavy criticism from all sections of the society.
The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights has resolved to take up a Suo moto case on the incident of firing by the Manipur police which led to the death of Sapam Robinhood, a class XI student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School.
A press release of the MCPCR said the commissioner express serious condemnation of the unfortunate incident of firing by the Manipur Police which led to the demise of the student.
It said the police firing leading to death and injury of students is a clear cut case of violation of child rights, especially their right to life and dignified survival, as guaranteed by the Constitution of India and the UN Convention on Rights of the Child.
The decision to take up the suo moto case was arrived at during an emergency meeting held at its official premises, according to the press release.
It continued, the commission has also written to the director general of police to furnish details of the incident, the particulars of the personnel involved in the firing.
It has also sought details of any action taken including filing of criminal cases against those police personnel involved in the firing and has also informed the National Commission on the Protection of Child Rights of the firing incident for necessary action.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) said it condemns the `brutal killing of a student while protesting against the government in Manipur.`
According to the statement, hundreds of NEFIS activists gathered and gheraoed the Manipur Bhawan in New Delhi in protest against the police action and demanded an immediate and independent inquiry into the incident.
NEFIS also met the Resident Commissioner of Manipur and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister of Manipur demanding immediate suspension of the police personnel responsible for the death of the student.
It said today a large number of students from different regions of North-East, led by NEFIS protested against the high-handed crackdown of police on peaceful protesters in Manipur.
The police brutality on people was once again demonstrated on Wednesday, when a student was killed while demonstrating against the Government, it said.
The class XI student was fatally wounded when to scatter the protesters, a tear gas shell fired from close range hit him, it said.
It should be noted that the people who were protesting were innocent school students of different educational institutions, the NEFIS said.
It is shameful that police could not tolerate even a peaceful protest by students and shockingly tried to disperse the protesters using reprehensible means, it continued.
NEFIS has also demanded an immediate stop on any mode of repression on peaceful Democratic movements and said it will take the issue to national level, if the demands are not immediately heard.
The Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup, AMKIL has also condemned the police action.
A statement of the organisation said the use of brute force by the police to control the students is condemnable and the government should punish the involved personnel at the earliest.
It has also demanded the police to stop such repressive actions.
The Ereipal Enaat Chanura Loinsinlon has also condemned the incident.
A statement of the organisation said it also shares the grievances of the family of the dead student.
EECHAL has also expressed concern for the other students who were injured in police action.
It has also said that EECHAL will support the movement of JCILPS.
The Pangal Students`™ Organisation has also condemned the incident and criticized the government action of using brute force to contain the movement demanding safeguard of the indigenous people.
It has further demanded that in case the government is unable to properly govern the State, they should step down on moral grounds.
If in a democracy, democratic form of agitation is stopped using force, the very meaning of democracy is defeated, it said.
The PSO has also demanded termination of all personnel involved in the incident.
The All Manipur Gorkha Students`™ Union have also strongly condemned the killing of the student and injuring dozens others in police action and demanded the government to punish the involved police personnel.
The All Manipur Muslim Development Organisation and Manipur State Council All India Youth Federation have also condemned the incident.