IMPHAL, February 26: “The 60 MLAs at the Assembly are pursuing their own agenda for personal benefits and the questions which seem to rise most are of contract works” stated executive director of Human Rights Initiative, Joykumar today.
He was giving his opinion at the one day public discussion on ‘Justice for the brutal killing of Th Rabina and Ch Sanjit held today at Lamyanba Sanglen Working committee.
The discussion was organized by the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup (WCAL).
Joykumar continued “This shows the true color of the politicians of the State.”
“They do not care for the true issues of human rights violation occurring in the State for decades,”
He lamented that the MLAs in the ongoing assembly session failed to put up the Herojit confession issue, adding that discussion on the brutal act of police personnel in the assembly session will not be considered as subjudice. “ It is perhaps that there are no longer any politicians who have the guts to raise the issue at the floor of the House,” he said.
Joykumar also went to the extent of wanting to know how the judiciary works in the State and that there need not be any clarifications on why the Sessions Judge of Imphal West had to go to Tamenglong on February 20.
Various issues were raised from speakers representing different organizations at the discussion today and mostly hinted that the confession of Herojit must be addressed by the State judiciary at the earliest and that the civil organizations will put up pressure in this issue. The discussion resolved to urge the CBI to initiate further investigation in the Sanjit-Herojit-Jhalajit issue. That those guilty in the murder of Rabina-Sanjit should be given fitting punishment. The discussion also resolved to intimate national and international Human Rights organizations and bring their focus in this case. Further, it resolved that the State government should provide logistics for the wellbeing of Th Herojit and he should be left free to speak his opinion. The discussion also resolved to carry on further protest in regard to this case until justice has been done.
Co- ordinator of the Apunba Lup Phulindro Konsam presided the one day public discussion and Chief Editor of Impact Tv, Yumnam Rupachadra was the moderator.
Chief Editor IMPACT TV Y Rupachandra as moderator of the discussion said that there needs to be a proper addressal of the more than 1500 fake encounter cases which is filed in the Supreme Court and that the confession of Herojit is the beginning only.
IFP staff reporter Paojel Chaoba who first revealed the news in this newspaper during his speech said that the confession from the head constable Th Herojit Singh is a remarkable case. He said that the duty of the media is to expose the truth to the public. “The media has no friend nor foe, we give the facts to the public. It is up to others including CSOs and the State legal system to carry the matter to the destined end.
Activist Joy Chingngakham , at the discussion opined that the State government should take responsibility for the safety of Th Herojit . “The State should ensure safe movement and especially while going for appearances before the Court,” he said.
On the other hand social scientist, Dhanabir Laishram said pointing to Th Herojit and his like that they are killers and not to be trusted. ‘They are all demons’ mentioned Dhanabir and said that these kind of security personnel kill people and are awarded with ‘gallantry medals’.
He said that the people of the state should be very careful and introspect on what may be going on in regard with the killing of Rabina and Sanjit case as it might be a political move. He mentioned that the centre is not friendly with North East region and hence the CBI is also not trustful. “ The woman activists should not console Herojit with blessings and humane gestures. He is a criminal and does not deserve such love. The case of Herojit itself is very weak,” he said.
Leaders from different civil society organisations also delivered speeches with the motion to safeguard Th Herojit and to speed up the legal proceedings.