OPEN LETTER to the Chief Minister of Manipur

To,
 
The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur
Government of Manipur

Dear Hon’ble Sir,

I am writing this open letter to you (Hon’ble Sir) (and having it released to the printed and electronic media) is to bring your attention on the Custodial Death of an Auto-Rickshaw Driver on the Interest of the Meitei-Pangal Community and Manipur people as a Whole.

Even the term “Custodial death” itself is in confusing state, whether the decease was killed intentionally or death by mistake. But it is confirmed that the death of Md. Abdul Gaffar alais Sayeed, was not due to some mistake and the incident was not a mistake when the Manipur Police Commando were involved and the concerned PS had no knowledge of the arrest.

Considering the elapsed time from the arrest of the person by the Thoubal Police Commando & 26 AR upto the deposit of the body at JNIMS by AR, had enough time to handed over the person to concern PS. Its really a contradictory point that he was interrogated or Tortured.

As per Media report, In a reply to an Attention Motion Called in the State House by Hon’ble MLA Joykishan and Hon’ble MLA Abdul Nasir regarding the Custodial Death, you (Hon’ble Sir) had stated,
1.    That, 5 (Five) Manipur Police commando will be suspended.
2.     That, those Security Forces (Assam Rifles) involved, will be arrested.
3.     That, Ex-Gratia of Rupess Five Lakhs will be given to the Family of the decease.
4.     That, Job will be provided to a family member of the decease as per a Media report on 22nd December.

Quoting the second statement, a civilian can be arrested at anytime, from anywhere on suspicion, then why security personals cannot be arrested if committed crime. Yes, they can be arrested, at this point of time, a question has been arising on the mind of the Public, that how long will it take to arrest a Criminal from among the Armed Forces. One day, one week, one year or ten years or above like those cases of Thangjam Manorama Devi or Chungkham Sanjit. Taking the advantage of the official procedure and protocol will not bring the solution.

Keeping the 3rd & 4th statement in mind, Money & Job can probably help the family of the society, but it cannot stop the tears. Many families are scared of the system whether they will face the same consequences or the life of their family members will compromise with money & Job.

In the MoU, signed on 20-12-2018, between Govt. of Manipur & JAC against the alleged Custodial Death of Md. Abdul Gaffar alais Sayeed, there is an understanding that Magisterial Enquiry will be initiated into the incident.

Let yours be an exceptional case and indeed an outstanding one in the political history of Manipur and in your Political Journey as Chief Minister of a state. May I encourage you (Hon’ble Sir), as your well wisher and law-abiding citizen of India, to set an example to the people of Manipur by bringing an immediate justice of the case and show your people that our Hon’ble CM is doing the right thing and also to teach a lesson to the Security personals who takes law in hand, that there is law that can punished them when they misuse their power and weapons in a wrongful manner.

Yours faithfully,
Kh. Altab Ali
Imphal, Manipur