UPDATE ON THE URGENT APPEAL OF BHRPC REGARDING MURDER OF JOURNALISTS IN NORTH EAST INDIA
0 views
Skip to first unread message
WALI
Nov 26, 2008, 9:20:43 AM11/26/08
to Mankind Rights Group
UPDATE ON THE URGENT APPEAL OF BHRPC REGARDING MURDER OF JOURNALISTS
IN NORTH EAST INDIA
APPEAL FOR URGENT ACTIONS PRGRAMME
Urgent Appeal Event No. 06/2008, Update on the event, Date: 26/11/08
Subject: Right to Life, Right to Security and Right to Freedom of
Expression and Thought.
ISSUES: Killing of Journalists and Threat to Freedom of Expression and
Thought in North East India.
BARAK HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION COMMITTEE (BHRPC), a human rights
organisation working in Assam, India, requests your urgent actions in
the following situation in North East India.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION: BHRPC issued an URGENT APPEAL
regarding Killing of Journalists and Threat to Freedom of Expression
and Thought in North East India on 25 November, 2008 which can be
found at http://bhrpc.net.googlepages.com/UrgentAppealtothePubicReJagjitSaikia.pdf
and is also reproduced bellow. Today BHRPC received further
information on the event mainly concerning the death of Mr. Konsam
Rishikanta, a trainee sub-editor of The Imphal Free Press, an English
daily of Manipur, who was shot dead on 17 November in Imphal, Manipur
by some unidentified assailants. The updated information given by the
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) under its URGENT APPEAL PROGRAMME
mentioning the Human Rights Alert (HRA) as source is reproduced
bellow:
"Konsam Rishikanta Singh is aged about 22 years. 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."
ACTIONS REQUESTED: Please write to the authorities in India urging
them
1. To conduct prompt, objective and transparent investigation into
the incident.
2. To bring the perpetrators of these ghastly acts to book and
punish them as per law.
3. To pay adequate compensation to the dependants/relatives of the
deceased.
4. To ensure security of the life of journalists.
5. To protect the right to freedom of expression and thought of the
people by going hard on those elements who pose threat to it.
Or you may forward the following letter adjusting the salutation part
to the addresses given bellow:
To
The Prime Minister of India,
Prime Minister's Office, Room No. 152,
South Block, New Delhi
Subject: Urgent Appeal Regarding Killing of Journalist in Imphal,
Manipur.
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
Addresses to be sent to:
1. Mr. Manmohan Singh
The Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister's Office
Room number 152, South Block
New Delhi, INDIA
Fax: +91 11 23019545
E-Mail: pm...@pmo.nic.in
2. Mr. L. P. Gonmei
Commissioner, Civil Secretariat
Imphal, Manipur, INDIA
Fax: +91 385 2311793
3. Mr. Shivraj Patil
Union Minister of Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs, 104-107 North Block
New Delhi 110 001, INDIA
Fax: +91 11 2309 2979
E-Mail: svp...@sansad.nic.in
4. Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh
Chief Minister of Manipur
Chief Minister's Secretariat
Babupara, Imphal, Manipur, INDIA
Fax: +91 385 2221817
E-mail: cmm...@hub.nic.in
For pdf version of the main URGENT APPEAL click bellow:
http://bhrpc.net.googlepages.com/UrgentAppealtothePubicReJagjitSaikia.pdf
For pdf version of this update click bellow:
http://bhrpc.net.googlepages.com/UPDATEONAPPEALFORURGENTACTIONSPRGRAM.pdf
--
W A Laskar
Freelance Reporter and Human Rights Activist
with Barak Human Rights Protection Committee,
http://bhrpc.net.googlepages.com
15, Panjabari Road, Darandha, Six Mile, Guwahati-781037, Assam, India
Cell: +919401134314
IN NORTH EAST INDIA
APPEAL FOR URGENT ACTIONS PRGRAMME
Urgent Appeal Event No. 06/2008, Update on the event, Date: 26/11/08
Subject: Right to Life, Right to Security and Right to Freedom of
Expression and Thought.
ISSUES: Killing of Journalists and Threat to Freedom of Expression and
Thought in North East India.
BARAK HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION COMMITTEE (BHRPC), a human rights
organisation working in Assam, India, requests your urgent actions in
the following situation in North East India.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION: BHRPC issued an URGENT APPEAL
regarding Killing of Journalists and Threat to Freedom of Expression
and Thought in North East India on 25 November, 2008 which can be
found at http://bhrpc.net.googlepages.com/UrgentAppealtothePubicReJagjitSaikia.pdf
and is also reproduced bellow. Today BHRPC received further
information on the event mainly concerning the death of Mr. Konsam
Rishikanta, a trainee sub-editor of The Imphal Free Press, an English
daily of Manipur, who was shot dead on 17 November in Imphal, Manipur
by some unidentified assailants. The updated information given by the
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) under its URGENT APPEAL PROGRAMME
mentioning the Human Rights Alert (HRA) as source is reproduced
bellow:
"Konsam Rishikanta Singh is aged about 22 years. 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."
ACTIONS REQUESTED: Please write to the authorities in India urging
them
1. To conduct prompt, objective and transparent investigation into
the incident.
2. To bring the perpetrators of these ghastly acts to book and
punish them as per law.
3. To pay adequate compensation to the dependants/relatives of the
deceased.
4. To ensure security of the life of journalists.
5. To protect the right to freedom of expression and thought of the
people by going hard on those elements who pose threat to it.
Or you may forward the following letter adjusting the salutation part
to the addresses given bellow:
To
The Prime Minister of India,
Prime Minister's Office, Room No. 152,
South Block, New Delhi
Subject: Urgent Appeal Regarding Killing of Journalist in Imphal,
Manipur.
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
Addresses to be sent to:
1. Mr. Manmohan Singh
The Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister's Office
Room number 152, South Block
New Delhi, INDIA
Fax: +91 11 23019545
E-Mail: pm...@pmo.nic.in
2. Mr. L. P. Gonmei
Commissioner, Civil Secretariat
Imphal, Manipur, INDIA
Fax: +91 385 2311793
3. Mr. Shivraj Patil
Union Minister of Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs, 104-107 North Block
New Delhi 110 001, INDIA
Fax: +91 11 2309 2979
E-Mail: svp...@sansad.nic.in
4. Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh
Chief Minister of Manipur
Chief Minister's Secretariat
Babupara, Imphal, Manipur, INDIA
Fax: +91 385 2221817
E-mail: cmm...@hub.nic.in
For pdf version of the main URGENT APPEAL click bellow:
http://bhrpc.net.googlepages.com/UrgentAppealtothePubicReJagjitSaikia.pdf
For pdf version of this update click bellow:
http://bhrpc.net.googlepages.com/UPDATEONAPPEALFORURGENTACTIONSPRGRAM.pdf
--
W A Laskar
Freelance Reporter and Human Rights Activist
with Barak Human Rights Protection Committee,
http://bhrpc.net.googlepages.com
15, Panjabari Road, Darandha, Six Mile, Guwahati-781037, Assam, India
Cell: +919401134314
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages