IMPHAL, January 8: Atrocities committed by security forces under the cover of Armed Special Power Act 1958 have been revealed and after the actual details regarding the discovery of some skulls from the excavation site of Tombisana High School is known and it may yet unearth another story of the barbarity of Indian security forces, charged National Identity Protection Committee president Sunil Karam. He was speaking during a one-day open discussion on the recovery of human skulls from the Tombisana High School.
The discussion was organised by All Manipur Students`™ Union at the Ema Khunthokhanbi Shanglen, DM Campus.
He elaborated that the case of Manorama has already revealed that personnel of the Assam Rifles raped and murdered her while also disclosing that many fake encounters do occur in the state. The recent recovery of eight human skulls during the excavation at the Tombisana High School may reveal the real stories behind many involuntary disappearances in the state, he added.
He said the Government has transferred the case to CBI as a delaying tactics and it is of no use to count on the CBI as it is mostly concerned about cases relating to mainland Indians.
He also alleged that though the discovery of the skulls during the excavation was sensitive, the Government remained silent.
Executive director of Human Right Alert, Laitongbam Babloo Singh said the media has played an important role in the recovery of human skulls issue. The Government who make people disappeared can easily make the skulls and skeletons disappear as well but the media by highlighting the issue stopped the government from doing that.
He said Families of the Involuntarily Disappeared Association, Manipur (FIDAM) has recorded 21 such cases and the recovery of the skulls may be related to these cases.
With the use of advanced technology, the identities, ages, the manner and times of the deaths of those people to which these skulls and bones belonged can be easily ascertained, Babloo said, adding that the government must take these cases seriously to deliver justice to people.
The open discussion was also attended by FIDAM president K Ranjit, UPF president BM Yaima, Human Right defender Joy Chingakham, Freedom editor RK Ranendrajit, many Emas and representative of many other civil bodies.
The president of the All Manipur Bar Association, Khaidem Mani was the moderator of the open discussion.