Activists, victims’ kin hail SC order for CBI probe in Manipur extra-judicial killings
The Supreme Court on Friday ordered a CBI probe into 62 alleged extra-judicial killings by security forces in Manipur.
The Supreme Court on Friday ordered a CBI probe into 62 alleged extra-judicial killings by security forces in Manipur, overruling objections by the government and the army in a landmark decision that was hailed by human rights activists, victims’ family members and politicians.
“We welcome the judgment of the Supreme Court,” said Onil Kshetrimayum, a rights activist.
“Such a judgment somewhat uplifts the face of the Indian democracy but it’s not enough
as justice is yet to be delivered,” he added.
Sharing the sentiment, Meihoubam Rakesh, director of the Manipur unit of Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) that had filed the petition, said they welcomed the move.
The kin of the victims also expressed relief at the verdict.
Tokpam Somorendra, who lost his 19-year-old son Shantikumar 17 years ago in a firing incident at Malom near Imphal, said: “This is good news for a victim’s family and I hope the truth will be revealed one day...”
Hailing the judgment, Communist Party of India’s Manipur state secretary Dr M Nara said, “We’ll pressure the parties concerned, including the government, to speed up the investigation.”
