Custodial deaths irk Manipur Government

Imphal, June 02: Taking serious note of the series of violation of Supreme Court directives by the security forces in taking up counter insurgency operation in Manipur, the State Government has decided to take the matter to the notice of the Union Defence Ministry to rein in the erring security personnel and bring them back on line. According to a reliable source, the matter was seriously deliberated during a meeting presided over by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in his office chamber a few days back. Chief Secretary AP Sharma, GOC of 57 Mountain Division Brig R Singh, DGP AK Parashar and Secretary (Home) AE Ahmad were among those present at the meeting. In view of the rising allegations of not issuing arrest memo to the family members concerned at the time of arresting a person and fake encounter slurs on the SF, the State Government strongly felt that the security personnel have crossed their limit and line of duty, the source said. All the top civil and police officials present at the meeting expressed that writing a letter simply to the Union Defence Ministry will not serve the purpose and it should be supported with evidences and documents. Consequently, the proposed letter is going to be a ‘forceful’ one which cannot not be simply brushed aside, the source disclosed. The meeting deliberated on the possible steps and necessary action that can be taken up by the State Government in connection with alleged killing in fake encounters. The meeting also discussed the feasibility of taking up legal action as well as court marshalling of the guilty personnel, the source further said. The source informed that the meeting also discussed on the measures that the State Government may take up in case of the CBI showing its reluctance to take up cases of alleged custodial deaths. After minutely discussing all these points, the State Government decided to highlight the matter to the Union Defence Ministry, said the source. Cops rewarded: By way of giving encouragement, DGP AK Parashar today presented a cash reward of Rs 20,000 to the combined team of Bishnupur police commandos and IRB personnel who apprehended 13 cadres of Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) including a second town commander of the outfit along with a huge cache of arms from Churachandpur district all in one day yesterday. The combined team had also reportedly recovered one Maruti car from the arrested cadres.