NHRC issues notice to Manipur government over alleged murder of 13 people
Tengnoupal: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a media report that at least 13 people were killed in firing at Lithao village near Saibol in Manipur’s Tengnoupal on Monday.
The Commission finds that the content of media information, precisely, constitutes a serious problem of human rights violations, which is a cause for concern.
The CNDH said, as reported, this incident indicates an error on the part of the organizations in charge of enforcing the law and the forces deployed to guarantee peace, law and order in the state.
As a result, it has sent notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Manipur Police requesting detailed information on the matter within a period of two weeks. This, he said, should include the status of the FIR lodged by the police and the steps taken by the state government to ensure that such incidents of violence do not occur anywhere in the state.
The Commission has further said that the loss of 13 human lives, that too in an area which has been peaceful since the outbreak of tension in the state of Manipur in May this year, is indeed worrying and disturbing. The state of Manipur and its people have suffered great loss. It is strongly reiterated that it is the duty of the State to protect the life and property of its citizens, both public and private, and to promote the spirit of brotherhood and harmony among communities.
Since May 2023, the NHRC has received several queries from individuals/ONG and human rights activists alleging human rights violations during the incidents of violence in Manipur. These issues are being considered in the Plenary Meeting of the Commission and were discussed in depth by senior officials of the Government of Manipur as well as representatives of the complainants during its camp session in Guwahati, Assam on 17 November 2023. …and civil society was also present, he said.
According to media information published on December 5, 2023, the village consists of new houses and about 120 residents. However, there is no report of any casualty to any villager. He said that according to reports, this is the biggest loss of life and property in a single day due to the violence that broke out in Manipur in May this year.
The Commission said, there is prima facie suspicion that the victims of violence could also be Myanmar militants, as the hills around Leithao are a common route taken by them to enter Manipur from Myanmar.
