INDIA: Extra-judicial killings and torture; alleged torture and killing of Ningthoujam Mangoljao and extra-judicial killings of three young boys in Manipur
INDIA: Extra-judicial killings and torture
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Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is concerned with recently repeated extra-judicial killings and torture in Manipur, India. The AHRC has received a report that Mr. Ningthoujam Mangolijao alias Sanjib, a publicity and communication chief of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), was allegedly killed by police on 08 July after being arrested on 06 July 2003. Furthermore, three young boys were allegedly executed by Assam Rifles personnel on 13 July 2003 in the area of Sapermeina police station in Senapati District, Manipur. Your urgent action is needed to pressure the Indian and Manipur authorities to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into these cases and to take strong action to stop further extra-judicial killings by the police immediately.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission
SITUATION:
1. Alleged torture and killing case of Mr. Ningthoujam Mangoljao alias Sanjib
On the morning of 08 July 2003, the dead body of Mr. Ningthoujam Mangoljao alias Sanjib, Revolutionary People’s Fronts (RPF) publicity chief, was found in Nambul River near Irom Meijrao about 10 km away from where he was picked by the Manipur Police commando team at Lamphelpat on 06 July 2003.
According to testimonies given by two personnel who were arrested along with Mr. Ningthoujam Mangoljao on 06 July, Sanjib was allegedly killed while in custody Manipur police commandos. Mr. Ashem Inaoba Singh and Mr. Oinam Dilip Singh testified that alleged torture and extra-judicial killing took place somewhere in Imphal between 06 July and 08 July 2003. All three named persons belong to the Indigenous Meitei people of Manipur. His family members also believe that Ningthoujam Mangolijao was brutally tortured and killed after he was picked up.
However, Mr. Okram Ibobi, Chief Minister of Manipur, clarified in his statement on 17 July that Sanjib escaped from the security personnel on that very day after he was arrested in the wee hours of 07 July 2003. The minister said that after the arrest, Sanjib, taking advantage of the lack of adequate security escorts, made an escape bid and the police gave chase while firing in the air, but Sanjib managed to escape. The Chief Minister said that the answer to whether he was killed or drowned will be known only by the post mortem report.
However, the opposition party (MLA) member O. Joy said that Sanjib’s death could be categorized as custodial death during the morning session of the Assembly on 17 July 2003. He questioned why some persons who had said that Sanjib died in police custody were being hunted. Joining in the discussion, Phayeng Assembly Constituency MLA N Biren inquired how only one driver was inside the vehicle while the police was taking Sanjib away by the police.
2. Extra-judicial killings of three young boys; Kamkholal Haokip(17 years), Sumkhosat Haokip and Satkholun Haokip (15 years)
During the operation of the security personnel in Manipur, three young boys were executed in the wee hours of 13 July 2003 at Gelbung village located about 2 km west of Sapermeina police station in Senapati District, Manipur. Three boys are identified as; Kamkholal Haokip (17 years) and his younger brother Sumkhosat Haokip (age not confirmed) who are sons of Sonthang Haokip of G Solung village, and Salkholun Haokip(15 years) who is son of Letkhai Haokip.
However, Plans Intelligence Branch (PIB) Defense Wing in a statement claimed that the three killed were hard core member of the Kuki National Front (KNF) which is separatist armed group fighting for autonomy within the Indian Union, and they were killed in an encounter during spot investigation. But, villagers said that the three were killed after they were called out from their house by the security personnel following a shoot out with suspected militants in the area.
Based on specific information, while 14 Assam Rifles personnel were carrying out cordon and search operation at Sipijang and Tuljapang village near Sapermeina, an encounter ensued between the troops and militants resulting in death of three militants and injury of one junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the Assam Rifles.
After the encounter with the militants, Assam Rifles personnel swooped down on four villages; Gelbung, G-Solung, Mationg Thangbu and L Khumnom. They called out about fifty youths from their homes at about 3.30 AM, and all of them were taken to the playground at Gelbung village. Later at about 6.30 AM, the Assam Rofles personnel picked out Kamkholal Haokip, Sumkhosat Haokip and Salkholun Haokip while the rest were told to go back home. Even as the rest were on their way home, they heard the loud reports of gunfire, said reports. Kamkholal Haokip is a Class X student of Salem Higher Secondary School while Sumkhosat and Satkholun were employed in a hotel at Imphal. All the bodies bore multiple bullet injuries.
Villagers alleged that the Assam Rifles personnel also assaulted around 40-50 villagers including elders after the encounter. The security personnel also set upon the dog they had brought with them on the chief of G Solung village, Ngamkhojang Haokip (30). Assam Rifles personnel also broke the right of hand of Sonthang Haokip, father of the deceased Kamkholal and Sumkhosat. Sonja Haokip (50 years) and Thangjamang Haokip, the pastors of the local church, were also assaulted by the security personnel.
SUGGESTED ACTIION:
Write to the Prime Minister, Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission, Chief Minister of the Manipur State Government and UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions expressing your concern on alleged torture and killing of Ningthoujam Mangoljao and extra-judicial killings of three young boys in Manipur.
