Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani has described the recently released report of the Independent People’s Tribunal on the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur as biased and lacking transparency.
Addressing media persons at his residence in Loklaobung, Imphal, Mani stated that the report appeared to have been prepared with a predetermined mindset instead of reflecting an impartial and balanced assessment of the situation. He cautioned that such selective presentation undermines the credibility of the tribunal’s findings.
Referring to the prolonged unrest that has gripped the state for the past two years and four months, the senior advocate questioned why the report overlooked crucial incidents. He highlighted, among others, the killing of six civilians, including women and children, in Jiribam; the public statement of MLA Paolienlal Haokip regarding cross-border involvement; repeated violations of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement; and the killing of minors and youth. He said that these omissions raise serious doubts about the intent behind the report.
Mani maintained that a genuine tribunal must provide a comprehensive account of all aspects of the crisis rather than presenting a one-sided narrative. By ignoring major incidents and perspectives, the Independent People’s Tribunal had failed in its responsibility, he asserted.
He further remarked that the accountability for such shortcomings lies with the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), the organisation that constituted the tribunal, adding that any future effort to address the conflict must uphold transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness.