The next logical step would be to grant prosecution sanction of the security personnel found to be involved in the extrajudicial killing of civilians, EEVFAM and HRA tell the government of India
TFM Desk
Extrajudicial Execution Victim Families’ Association, Manipur (EEVFAM) and Human Rights Alert (HRA) on Friday welcomed the revocation of the “disturbed area” status under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) from various parts of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur by the Government. “This is a step in the right direction,” they said.
A statement issued by Renu Takhellambam, President, EEVFAM and Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director, HRA recalled that EEVFAM and HRA petitioned the Supreme Court seeking justice for 1,528 documented victims of extrajudicial executions carried out from 1979 to 2012 in Manipur under the shadow of AFSPA. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was directed to investigate cases where there is already an earlier prima facie finding. CBI registered 39 FIRs. Out of this, 30 final reports have been submitted to the respective Chief Judicial Magistrates (CJM) in Manipur, it stated.
The statement further said when the alleged perpetrators are police personnel, the Government of Manipur have granted prosecution sanction under section 197 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the trials are going on. However, when the perpetrators are personnel of the armed forces of the Union, the Union Home Ministry has passed orders denying prosecution sanctions under section 6 of AFSPA. Six such cases have been submitted to the CJM so far, it added.
EEVFAM and HRA maintained that when sufficient evidence of the extrajudicial killing is laid out before the CJMs by none other than the premier investigating agency of the country, and that too under the direction of the apex court, the Union of India is insisting to halt all further legal proceedings. CJM of Imphal West has referred the matter to the High Court of Manipur in February 2021 to ascertain on how to proceed with the cases. But with little progress in the High Court, the victims seeking justice are left high and dry, they lamented.
EEVFAM and HRA suggested to the Government of India that the next logical step would be to grant prosecution sanction of the security personnel found to be involved in the extrajudicial killing of civilians.