The application was submitted to the MHRC by a Congress team led by MPCC general secretary S Jeeten Singh and spokesperson N Bhupenda Meitei
TFM Report
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Monday approached Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to implead MPCC represented by its legal department’s chairman as a party in the suo motu case taken up by MHRC on matters arising out of the public statements made by BJP MLA L Rameshwar recently on alleged involvement of ministers, MLAs and police officers with drugs lords in drugs crimes in Manipur.
The application was submitted by a Congress team led by MPCC general secretary S Jeeten Singh and spokesperson N Bhupenda Meitei.
Speaking to media persons after submitting the application, Bhupen demanded the BJP-led state government to name the ministers, MLAs and police officers who have “nexus” with the drug lords, who are involved in drug related crimes and cases in Manipur. If the government is serious and honest about its “war on drugs” campaign then it should reveal the names in the interest of the public, he asserted.
MPCC State Legal Department chairman N Jayantakumar Singh, who is the petitioner, said that seizing of drugs and arresting of drug peddlers are widely reported. But the public is not aware of who has been convicted for these crimes.
He also appreciated MHRC for taking up the suo motu case taking the matter in all seriousness and stated that MPCC also takes the remark seriously since it is made by a BJP MLA who is also the deputy chairman of State Planning Board. The commission will decide on May 5 about the application filed today, he added.
Vichar Vibhag chairman Adv L Chandrakumar Singh, Andro A/C co-opted member K Ningthemjao Singh, MPYCC general secretary (Administration) S Johny Meitei, NSU Manipur president Md Kabir Ahmad, social media state coordinator Malemkhomba Salam and others were also part of the Congress team.
Taking serious note of startling revelation by a ruling sitting MLA about alleged nexus between Ministers and drug lords, Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has initiated suo motu proceedings against the state government based on the news reports published in various local dailies and vernaculars.
The commission directed the special secretary (Home), government of Manipur and Director General of Police, Manipur to examine the contents of the news reports and make necessary inquiry/investigation and report be submitted before this commission on or before May 5, 2021
At a public function on April 4, Rameshwar had made a remark allegedly hinting at a nexus amongst ministers, MLAs, police officers and drug dealers. It was widely reported in the local dailies.
“In the said news reports, a serious allegation has been labelled against Ministers, MLAs and police officers for their nexus with drug lords and kingpins,” said the April 6 order by MHRC acting chairperson Khaidem Mani.
“Even as the government is waging a war on drug, MLAs, ministers and politicians have supported drug lords,” the order mentioned translating the speech made by the BJP MLA.
MHRC observed that the allegation by an MLA, who is also “holding a responsible post in the government”, against MLAs, ministers and even police officers is very serious in nature and, therefore, the matter deserves the intervention of this commission”.
Registering the case under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993, as case number 4 of 2021 the MHRC also noted that the drug menace “may have devastating human rights violation consequences”.
MHRC had also instructed the Manipur’s special secretary (Home) and the Director-General of Police (DGP) to submit an inquiry report on or before May 5.