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Huiyen Lanpao, a local daily in Manipur was also informed about Singh's murder. Reporters
and friends from Huiyen Lanpao rushed to the area where Singh was reportedly shot at. As
they reached the area, they could see commandos from the Manipur State Police at the crime
scene. It is also reported that the area where Singh was shot at is a high security area where a
person to enter or depart from the area has to clear at least three security gates staffed by state
security forces.
The body was soon removed from the scene and an autopsy was conducted at the Regional
Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal. It is reported that there were three projectile
injuries on the body, one below the chin and two on the upper torso. While the detailed
ballistic and forensic report is awaited, the fact that three shots fired at Singh hit him suggests
that the assassin fired at Singh from a relatively lesser distance and should have attracted the
attention of the security personals guarding the area. The silence on the part of the security
forces, it is alleged, is indicative of the involvement of the security forces stationed in the
state in this incident.
On the next day the All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) held an emergency
meeting at the Manipur Press Club. The meeting condemned the killing and held a protest
rally on the same day evening. The AMWJU also suspect the security forces as behind the
murder. The AMWJU later on the same day submitted a written memorandum to the Chief
Minister of the state demanding for a judicial enquiry into the incident and further demanding
compensation to be paid to Singh's family by the state.
Since the government failed to meet these demands, the AMWJU organised a sit-in protest in
the state capital on November 20. The AMWJU also said that they would stop working from
November 20. On November 25, the members in the state cabinet demanded the state Chief
Minister to hand over the investigation of the murder to the Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI). The cabinet meeting was convened specifically to discuss about the progress in the
investigation into the murder. On a similar footing the Editors' Guild of India has filed a
memorandum to the Prime Minister of India seeking an intervention to ensure proper enquiry
into this case.
The HRA informs that the killing of Singh is the latest in the series of murders of scribes,
carried out both by the state as well as the non-state armed opposition groups. The HRA
reports that Mr. R. K. Santatomba, the editor of Kangla Langpung was killed in 1993, Mr.
H.A. Lalrhlolu, editor of Shan was killed in 1999, Mr. Thongnoujam Brajamani, editor of
Manipur News was killed in 2000, and Mr. Yambem Megha, a correspondent of Vision
North East was killed in 2002. In 2006 there was an attempt on the life of Mr. Ratan
Luwangcha, the Secretary General of AMWJU. But he survived.
The HRA further informs that in none of the cases cited above there has been a police
investigation which resulted in a conviction. While the outlawed armed groups continues to
pressure the local media to carry their handout and propaganda material as news, the security
forces and the police exerts undue pressure upon the media whenever a news of violation of
human rights and corruption are exposed by the media.
Last month for example, on October 10, 2008, the Manipur police threatened the editors of
three local dailies (the Sangai Express, Poknapham and Naharolgi Thoudang) when they
published news exposing the nexus between Manipur police and the smugglers active in the
state. The news exposed the delivery of 13 truckloads of Urea that was reportedly smuggled
from India to Burma to manufacture illegal drugs. The AMWJU condemned the police action
and further asked the Director General of Police (DGP) to tender an apology. The AMWJU
also informed the DGP that he would be responsible if anything happened to the journalists
who covered the news.
There is no direct evidence to directly link the killing of Singh with this exposure.
Nevertheless, the fear generated by the killing and the government's studied indifference is
expected to have conveyed the message clear and loud to the media about the consequences
they could face if they try to write against the police or anyone in the security forces stationed
in the state.
The HRA informs that it is of the opinion that the killing of Singh is intended to generate a
sense of fear and to silence the media from exposing the criminals within the law
enforcement agencies.”
Or you may forward the following letter adjusting the salutation part to the addresses given
bellow:
To
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am informed by reliable sources that a young journalist Mr. Konsam Rishikanta Singh, aged
about 22 years was killed on 17 November, 2008. Singh was the Junior Sub-Editor of one of
the prominent English language daily--the Imphal Free Press (IFP). On November 17, Singh
was expected to join duty at his office at 5pm since he was assigned the night shift. However,
while Singh failed to report to work, an unidentified person called the editor of IFP, Mr.
Pradeep Phanjaobam, on his mobile telephone and enquired whether Singh has reported to
duty. When Phanjaobam informed that Singh has not reported to work, the caller informed
Phanjaobam that Singh was shot dead near Langol area.
Huiyen Lanpao, a local daily in Manipur was also informed about Singh's murder. Reporters
and friends from Huiyen Lanpao rushed to the area where Singh was reportedly shot at. As
they reached the area, they could see commandos from the Manipur State Police at the crime
scene. It is also reported that the area where Singh was shot at is a high security area where a
person to enter or depart from the area has to clear at least three security gates staffed by state
security forces.
The body was soon removed from the scene and an autopsy was conducted at the Regional
Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal. It is reported that there were three projectile
injuries on the body, one below the chin and two on the upper torso. While the detailed
ballistic and forensic report is awaited, the fact that three shots fired at Singh hit him suggests
that the assassin fired at Singh from a relatively lesser distance and should have attracted the
attention of the security personals guarding the area. The silence on the part of the security
forces, it is alleged, is indicative of the involvement of the security forces stationed in the
state in this incident.
On the next day the All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) held an emergency
meeting at the Manipur Press Club. The meeting condemned the killing and held a protest
rally on the same day evening. The AMWJU also suspect the security forces as behind the
murder. The AMWJU later on the same day submitted a written memorandum to the Chief
Minister of the state demanding for a judicial enquiry into the incident and further demanding
compensation to be paid to Singh's family by the state.
Since the government failed to meet these demands, the AMWJU organised a sit-in protest in
the state capital on November 20. The AMWJU also said that they would stop working from
November 20. On November 25, the members in the state cabinet demanded the state Chief
Minister to hand over the investigation of the murder to the Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI). The cabinet meeting was convened specifically to discuss about the progress in the
investigation into the murder. On a similar footing the Editors' Guild of India has filed a
memorandum to the Prime Minister of India seeking an intervention to ensure proper enquiry
into this case.
The HRA informs that the killing of Singh is the latest in the series of murders of scribes,
carried out both by the state as well as the non-state armed opposition groups. The HRA
reports that Mr. R. K. Santatomba, the editor of Kangla Langpung was killed in 1993, Mr.
H.A. Lalrhlolu, editor of Shan was killed in 1999, Mr. Thongnoujam Brajamani, editor of
Manipur News was killed in 2000, and Mr. Yambem Megha, a correspondent of Vision
North East was killed in 2002. In 2006 there was an attempt on the life of Mr. Ratan
Luwangcha, the Secretary General of AMWJU. But he survived.
The HRA further informs that in none of the cases cited above there has been a police
investigation which resulted in a conviction. While the outlawed armed groups continues to
pressure the local media to carry their handout and propaganda material as news, the security
forces and the police exerts undue pressure upon the media whenever a news of violation of
human rights and corruption are exposed by the media.
Last month for example, on October 10, 2008, the Manipur police threatened the editors of
three local dailies (the Sangai Express, Poknapham and Naharolgi Thoudang) when they
published news exposing the nexus between Manipur police and the smugglers active in the
state. The news exposed the delivery of 13 truckloads of Urea that was reportedly smuggled
from India to Burma to manufacture illegal drugs. The AMWJU condemned the police action
and further asked the Director General of Police (DGP) to tender an apology. The AMWJU
also informed the DGP that he would be responsible if anything happened to the journalists
who covered the news.
There is no direct evidence to directly link the killing of Singh with this exposure.
Nevertheless, the fear generated by the killing and the government's studied indifference is
expected to have conveyed the message clear and loud to the media about the consequences
they could face if they try to write against the police or anyone in the security forces stationed
in the state.
The HRA informs that it is of the opinion that the killing of Singh is intended to generate a
sense of fear and to silence the media from exposing the criminals within the law
enforcement agencies.
Sincerely Yours
Your Signature
Your Address
2. Mr. L. P. Gonmei
Commissioner, Civil Secretariat
Imphal, Manipur, INDIA
Fax: +91 385 2311793
On the other hand, BHRPC sees these incidences not only as isolated blows to the media,
which is regarded as a pillar of democracy, but also as the naked manifestation of the
brutality to which the continuous assault on the right to freedom of thought and expression
guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India has reached. The State and
Union Governments are under obligations in International Human Rights Law as well as duty
bound under the Law of the Land to ensure the exercise of this inalienable human right by its
citizens. It is evident from these and other such incidence of attack on the media and the
people's right to freedom of that the Indian State is miserably failed to protect basic human
rights of the citizens.
Or you may forward the following letter to the addresses given bellow:
To
Dear Sir/Madam,
Barak Human Rights Protection Committee (BHRPC), a human rights organization working
in Assam, expresses agony and grave concern at yet another cruel and untimely death of a
young journalist caused by unidentified gunmen. Mr. Jagjit Saikia, a Kokrajhar (Assam)
based reporter, who worked with "Amar Asom", a local daily in the Assamese language, was
reportedly shot at by unidentified gunmen on November 22 afternoon in Kokrajhar town
(Kokrajhar district in Assam) which caused his death.
The northeastern part of India earlier also witnessed the brutal killing of a scribe in Imphal on
17 November, when unidentified assailants shot dead Konsam Rishikanta, a trainee sub-
editor of The Imphal Free Press, an English daily of Manipur.
BHRPC categorically condemns these cowardly acts and sends condolences to the family
members of the deceased journalists and extends solidarity with the media fraternity.
BHRPC sees it not only as isolated blows to the media, which is regarded as a pillar of
democracy, but also as the naked manifestation of the brutality to which the continuous
assault on the right to freedom of thought and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of
the Constitution of India has reached. The State and Union Governments are under
obligations in International Human Rights Law as well as duty bound under the Law of the
Land to ensure the exercise of this inalienable human right by its citizens. It is evident from
these and other such incidence of attack on the media and the people's right to freedom of that
the Indian State is miserably failed to protect basic human rights of the citizens.
BHRPC urges your office:
BHRPC looks forward to see, Mr. Prime Minister, your government in action for ensuring
exercise for human rights by the citizens of this great country without fear.
With Regards
Yours Sincerely
Addresses:
Fax: +913612262069
Fax: +913852221817
E-Mail: cmmani@hub.nic.in
E-Mail: svpatil@sansad.nic.in
Fax: +911123340016
E-Mail: chairnhrc@nic.in
Fax: +913612529450/2527076
E-Mail: hrca@sancharnet.in
Manipur, India
Fax: +913852410472
E-Mail: mhrc@man.nic.in