The Manipur Tribals’ Forum, Delhi (MTFD) vehemently condemned the killing of three innocent Kuki-Zomi-Hmar youth by the Assam Police. The victims, Lallungawi Hmar, Lalbiekkung Hmar, and Joshua Lalrinsang, were tragically killed on July 17.
According to the MTFD, the incident is said to have occurred in Assam’s Cachar district, where the three youth were traveling in an autorickshaw. As per a leaked video, they were stopped by the police and taken to the Kachudharam Police Station without any resistance.” Shockingly, in the early hours of 17th July 2024, the Assam Police announced the gunning down of three Hmar militants, who turned out to be the same individuals already in their custody. The inconsistencies in the police’s narrative became glaringly apparent in the leaked video. The victims, who were wearing shorts and T-shirts when apprehended, were shown in military outfits when their lifeless bodies were displayed. This clear manipulation of facts points to a staged encounter, and it is imperative that those responsible are brought to justice,” stated the Forum.
It has demanded an immediate, impartial investigation into this incident and called for the culprits to be held accountable for their actions.
“Such blatant disregard for human life and justice cannot be tolerated in any civilized society. The Manipur Tribals’ Forum, Delhi (MTFD) stands in solidarity with the families of the victims and pledges to pursue all available avenues to ensure that justice is served,” stated the Forum.
The Hmar Inpui Assam Hills Region and its affiliated bodies viz Hmar Students Association Assam Hills Jt. HQRS, Hmar Women Association Assam Hills Region, Hmar Youth Association, Assam Hills Jt. HQRS, Hmar Literature Society, Dima Hasao, Hmar Peoples’ Union Assam has also condemned the merciless killings of three Hmar youths by the Assam police on July 17 under Kachudharam Police Station, Cachar.
Claiming that such killings is a stark violation of human rights, the Associations reminded that the three victims-Lallungawi Hmar, Lalbiekkung Hmar, and Joshua Lalrinsang- were apprehended by police while they were travelling in an autorickshaw and were later taken to an undisclosed location with hands tied to their backs as seen in the viral video footages.
“The Cachar Superintendent of Police, in an interview with the media said that the three youths were arrested on July 16, 2024, around 4:30 p.m. at Krishnapur Road and interrogated, meaning the victims were apprehended and brought into their custody before the killing. In a bizarre twist to the incident, the three dead youths turned out to be the same victims who had been apprehended the previous evening. Nonetheless, the police version of the event is found to be full of inconsistencies,” mentioned the joint statement.
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Based on the inconsistency of the reports and various videos circulated in social media, the groups asserted that the killings were extra-judicial and the policemen involved need to be tried in the court of Law for the cold murder of three Indian citizens.
“In light of the evidence recorded on video and the inconsistency of the event reported in the social media outlets, we strongly demand that the state government should immediately institute a special commission to conduct an impartial investigation into their deaths. We also request the National Human Rights Commission to take suo motu cognizance of the deaths and notify the Assam government to institute a magisterial inquiry into the killings,” it stated.
“The dastardly and cowardly attacks against minorities by the brutal police forces should be stopped immediately and those involved in the alleged encounter that led to the loss of lives should not go scot-free. They should be booked and punished as per law. We also demand the Cachar Police to respect the right to live and should not covertly indulge in curbing the Rights of minorities,” it further added.
