Supreme Court of India appointed a commission in 2013, chaired by Justice N. Santosh Hegde, to investigate 1,528 alleged fake encounter killings by security forces, including the Assam Rifles, paramilitary forces, and the Indian Army. The commission examined six specific cases and determined that all were instances of “fake encounters.”
TFM Desk
United Women Rights Defenders (UWRD) has urged immediate action on the cases of extrajudicial executions in Manipur, highlighting delays in the legal process despite the submission of 39 charge sheets by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
According to UWRD, the Supreme Court of India appointed a commission in 2013, chaired by Justice N. Santosh Hegde, to investigate 1,528 alleged fake encounter killings by security forces, including the Assam Rifles, paramilitary forces, and the Indian Army. The commission examined six specific cases and determined that all were instances of “fake encounters.”
The cases investigated included the deaths of Md. Azad Khan, Khumbongmayum Orsonjit Singh, Nameirakpam Gobind Meitei, Nameirakpam Nobo Meitei, Elangbam Kiranjit Singh, Chongtham Umakanta, and Akoijam Priyobrata. In each case, the commission found that the victims were not engaged in criminal activities and that their deaths could not be justified as acts of self-defense by the security forces.
Despite these findings, justice has remained elusive. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had recommended financial compensation for the victims’ families, but many cases remain pending. “It has already been 12 years since the investigation began, and at the current pace of progress, it could take more than 50 years to complete,” the UWRD stated in the press release.
A major roadblock to justice, UWRD pointed out, is the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958, specifically Section 6, which provides immunity to security forces, preventing prosecution without prior sanction from the central government. The press release emphasized that such immunity has protected those accused of extrajudicial executions.
The organization also cited the denial of prosecution sanction in the case of 13 Konyak Naga civilians who were killed by the 20th Para-Commandos in Otting Village, Nagaland, in December 2021. Despite multiple requests from the Nagaland government to the Union Ministry of Defense, the sanction was refused, leaving families without justice.
In light of these concerns, UWRD has formally requested the Governor of Manipur to take immediate steps, including:
- Seeking Information – The organization has called for transparency regarding the 39 charge sheets submitted by the CBI and their status with the Department of Law, Government of Manipur, and the Manipur Human Rights Commission.
- Prosecution Sanction – UWRD has urged the Chief Secretary of Manipur to communicate with the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to grant prosecution sanction for 39 cases of extrajudicial executions, allowing independent legal proceedings against those responsible.
The press release concluded with a reminder that 1,528 victim families, including widows, children, and other relatives, continue to suffer while waiting for justice. UWRD reaffirmed its commitment to holding the government accountable and ensuring that legal proceedings move forward without further delay.
For further inquiries, UWRD can be reached at unitedWRD@gmail.com .