Amidst the controversy over reported use of pellet guns during the recent students’ protests against the killing of two young students, Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) asked the Superintendent of Police of Imphal West District to submit a report as to who gave the command to use excessive force against students staging rallies in Imphal.
The commission headed by its Chairman Justice Utpalendu Bikas Saha (retired) also asked the Commissioner (Home) to inform it how much interim compensation could be provided to the injured students on or before the next date of hearing of the case.
Justice Saha on Wednesday visited three hospitals where nine pellet gun injured students are now under medical treatment.
MHRC sources said that the commission took up the case based on two complaints filed by Ningthoujam Jit Singh, of Singjamei Okram Leikai and one Mukul Phukon of Assam’s Shivsagar, subject matter of complaints being inhuman and brutal abuse by the armed forces and security forces to the peaceful students' protests.
The complaints alleged that on September 26 and 27, there was a peaceful rally organised by the students against the killing of 17-year-old girl student Hijam Linthoingambi and 20-year-old Phijam Hemjit on July 6 and the security forces violating the norms applied excessive force.
The photographs of the two slain students were circulated on different social media platforms on September 25 triggering the intense agitations in which at least 100 students, including girls, were injured after they clashed with the security forces, who prevented them from marching towards the Chief Minister’s bungalow.
Of the 100 injured students, at least ten were seriously wounded by the pellet guns.
The complainants in their petition also alleged that the state police as well as central forces used excessive force without any warning to the peaceful students, while they were taking out a rally, as a result of which many students were injured.
According to a complainant, security personnel assaulted a student by forcing him to lie flat on the road at Moirangkhom, Imphal West. The complaint also mentioned other cases of assault of students.
The commission also asked the Director General of Police to submit a status report on or before November 9.
The commission in its order said: “It has also been brought to our notice that on September 28, the Director General of Police has constituted a Committee to look into the various report/allegations of use of excess force by the security forces during maintenance of law and order situations in the last few days in Imphal area. It also appears from the newspaper that the State government has taken responsibility for treatment of the injured students.”
In view of the students’ agitations, the state government has shut all schools in the state till October 5 besides re-imposing the ban on mobile internet services till October 6.
HM Shah stresses on mapping of demographic data of people along India-Myanmar border
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the demographic data of people along the India-Myanmar border, especially in Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, should be mapped so that it can help in fencing of the border and infiltration can be stopped.
Drugs worth Rs 78 crore seized in Tripura, one held
In a major haul, the Assam Rifles in coordination with the other law enforcing agencies on Saturday seized 3.9 lakh methamphetamine tablets valued at around Rs 78 crore and arrested a drug peddler in Tripura, officials said on Saturday.
Manipur: Arms and ammunition recovered; two held with drugs
Manipur Police and other security forces recovered some arms and ammunition from different fringe and vulnerable areas and arrested two persons with drugs on Saturday, officials said.
New Maha Cabinet: Fadnavis keeps Home, Shinde gets Urban Development, Ajit Pawar in charge of Finance
Finally, the wait is over. Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Saturday approved the portfolio allocation to the ministers as recommended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The list was released after the conclusion of a weeklong winter session.
Explained: Key recommendations of 55th GST Council meet
From reducing GST rate on fortified rice kernel (FRK) to fully exempt GST on gene therapy, the 55th GST Council meeting, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Saturday made some key recommendations to provide relief to individuals and businesses.
India a natural trade and commerce partner of Kuwait: PM Modi
India has been a natural trading partner of Kuwait and continues to be so in contemporary times and people-to-people linkages over centuries have fostered a special bond of friendship between the two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar brings peace through meditation to UN headquarters consumed by global turmoil
Eighteen minutes of tranquility descended on the world organisation’s headquarters consumed by global turmoil as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led a meditation session as a path to peace at the United Nations.
NE not just strategically important but also an epitome of nation's diversity, culture: Minister
Union Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar on Friday underscored the strategic importance of the northeastern region and said that the region is not just a geographically significant part of the country but it is also an epitome of the nation's diversity, culture, and strategic importance.