IT News
Imphal, July 25: Human rights defenders of the state today stage demonstration at Keishampat junction by covering their mouth protesting the privilege motion against Babloo Loitongbam and IMPACT TV. In a written statement issued to media that the human rights defenders of Manipur take a collective stand to defend the protections provided to the fundamental freedoms of expression and association by Indian Constitution and the United Nation’s Universal Declaration on Human Rights. It said such freedoms are rights and they are not privileges. Therefore, no privilege may trump such fundamental rights, be it privileges of law enforcement agencies, the executive, legislative or judicial arms of government. The privilege of sixty MLA cannot prevail over the basic and fundamental rights of the twenty seven lakh citizens of Manipur.
It further stated that all human rights defenders have full rights to freedom of expression of association and to assert the rights of the larger communities, the rights of students and their own set of rights.
“ The recent attack on human rights defenders and introduction of privileges motions against a human rights defender and media unit of Manipur for expressing opinions on human rights issues of Manipur, in particular the merciless torture and cruel and inhumane treatment perpetrated on young students for demanding ILPS in Manipur is very regrettable and reflects the precarious state of human rights in Manipur”, added the statement.
The statement further demanded revocation and withdrawal of the privilege motion against a human rights defender and a media organization on 24 July 2014 and also release all students arbitrarily detained by the law enforcing agencies.
Meanwhile, : Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur, a conglomerate of civil society organisation in the state, strongly condemn the brutality of Manipur Police Personnel towards the students demanding implementation of ILP in a democratic way.
Addressing the media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Convenor of Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur, Elangbam Johnson said the democratic protest of the students had been suppressed by the police brutally and it is an act carried out in military regime. He added that the Government should take immediate action and announce its stand on the implementation of ILP. He also urged the Home Department to take disciplinary action against the police personnel involved in the thrashing of the students yesterday.
Executive Member of Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur, Mutum Churamani said it is unfortunate that the House discussed the personal view of Babloo Loitongbam at a Live programme of a local channel, Impact News stating it harms the privilege of House.
