testimonial of a traumatized widow

Testimony of Smt. Athokpam (O) Tarubi devi

I, Smt. Athokpam (O) Tarubi Devi aged about 47 years, W/O  (L) Athokpam Manja Singh, R/O Basikhong Torban Leikai P.O. Irilbung, P.S. Irilbung, Imphal East District, 795010, would like to testify the happenings of the day my husband was taken away by the Rapid Action Force, without issuing arrest memo around 8-8.30 p.m. from our house. My husband was working at Manipur University as a peon. He was an alcoholic and hardly goes for his work. My husband was terminated from his work owing to regular absence from work. When he was alive we had multiple problems starting from shortage of food, shortage of money and quarrelling with me and other people. However, he was good natured, caring and loving person when he was sober.

On 29^th April 2007, around 8-8.30 p.m. we heard a familiar voice calling from our gate, “Tamocha” several times. (people known to us called my husband “Tamocha” which means younger brother). It was pitch dark outside as there was no electricity and the person repeatedly called my husband as he came towards our door and told us to open the door quickly.  When I opened the door, the person hurriedly came inside the house and said he wanted to talk to my husband. The person was in civil dress and he appears to be around 28-29 years old. My husband entered the room where the person was standing and he took my husband outside the house. My husband was wearing khudei (cloth wrapped around the waist) without vest and sandal. The stranger asked if my husband was into contracts and he talked continuously as he walked towards the courtyard. My children and my husband followed the person towards the courtyard. While we were standing in the courtyard, another person in police commando uniform appeared from the darkness carrying a long rifle. He arrested my husband without showing any arrest memo and led him towards the gate. The person in civilian dress took out revolver from his pocket and pointed towards us and he threatened us not to move or shout and to remain standing. He threatened us that he would kill my husband if we move or shout for help. He walked towards the gate pointing the gun towards us and disappeared into the darkness. We were all helpless and could not do anything to save him. They took him away in their vehicle towards the village ground. Later, my eldest son informed me that the rapid action forces had parked their vehicle near the Meirapaibi shed which is few houses away from our house. He was coming from the opposite direction and had seen the policemen approaching towards the vehicle. He had hidden himself amongst the bushes fearing the policemen and also to avoid unnecessary questioning. He did not realize that it was his father, the police had arrested.  We informed some of our relatives and the MLA of our constituency about the arrest, however no police stations were aware about the arrest.

The next morning we were informed about the death of my husband, he was found killed in the Langol hill clad only in khudai (as he was taken away at night) by some villager’s.  My eldest daughter Echan went to the morgue to confirm whether it was her father. She told me that he was shot on the right temple and his left side of cheek was smeared with dry leaf and mud. It appears that his hands were twisted for being tied from behind and his body bore injury marks. It appears that he was beaten and tortured before shooting him to death. My daughter fainted on seeing the mutilated body of her father. Our relatives decided not to take the body from the morgue until the culprits were apprehended. Joint action Committee was formed in our locality agitating against the murder of my husband, and for two days the body was not collected. The policemen who arrested and killed my husband were not traceable and no reason was given on the death of my husband. I decided it was not going to solve the subject or bring solace, in lengthening the issue, so after two days, I collected the body from the morgue with the help of my relatives and performed the necessary last rites according to our custom.

The day my husband was arrested from our house in the presence of our family members, I never knew he will not return home. He was a simple person without any fault and wrong doings, so I thought he would return to us. Even if he behaves madly when drunk, he hardly create problem outside the house. I don’t know why he was killed so brutally by the policemen, without any fault from his side. Later, I heard from the locality, that a few days before his arrest and murder, my husband had an altercation at the liquor shop which is located a few houses away from our residence. This family had performed shoisthi pooja of their newborn child and my husband had argument with few people who came to attend the ceremony. These people had pointed their finger to my husband and shouted from the gate that they would take revenge one day. Some people of our locality doubted these persons might have taken revenge and instigated the police personnel’s to kill my husband. Whatever may be the reason, it was wrong on the part of the policemen to kill my husband. He was an innocent person not involved in the activities of the insurgent groups.

The MLA of our jurisdiction came for condolence and gave Rs. 30,000/ and we received compensation of Rs. 1 Lakh after one year. The Minister also made a strong promise to provide employment to one of the nearest kin. However, this promise has not been accomplished till today even if we had inquired several times with the Minister. There was no magisterial inquiry for further investigation of the matter. The police personnel involved in the murder remained unknown and were not traceable. 

Our family condition worsened drastically after the death of my husband. We became poorer and my children stopped their education for two years.  We live on one square meal per day with great difficulty and most of the time we had only boiled vegetables to sustain our hunger. I decided to work at fields and construction sites for earning money. We do not get pension of my husband as he was terminated from his job. People from our locality offered advice and suggestions that I should not get married again, and I should take care of my growing children. I have developed psychological problem, tension develop within me all the time when I go to field and other work, I get afraid the commandos may visit our house and terrorize my children in my absence. I cannot see the army or the policemen, I get afraid what they would do to us. Late at night, I cannot hear the dogs barking or people shouting, fear will develop and I would get excited and nervous. The fear that the police involved in killing my husband may visit and harassed our family is there all the time.

I do not own BPL card for getting the monthly ration. I am not availing widow pension scheme and I don’t have the knowledge from where to get these benefits. My children are all grown up and the youngest two daughters are studying in standard eleven in Government aided school. We are receiving Rajiv Gandhi fellowship for two children. Two of my sons are in college and eldest daughter Echan is a professional artist and goes for national and international shows. She helps me in financing the family and now the condition of our family has improved.

I am living for my children, I feel I should be strong and confident for them. They should not feel orphaned in the society when I am alive. I get discriminated on various accounts being a widow. I will stand for them and no one should discriminate my children as long as I am alive. 

Testimony of a woman abducted by outlaws

Testimony of Smt.  Oinam (O) Chanam Dilabi

I, Smt.Oinam (O) Chanam Dilabi aged about 47 years, W/O Sh. Oinam Bijendro,    R/O Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai, P.O. Canchipur, P.S. Singjamei, District Imphal West, 795003, recall the unforgettable moment of the fateful night of 29^th January 2011. The KCP (MC) insurgents made a monetary demand of Rs.10 lakhs to my brother Ch. Ajit, working as Under Secretary in the State Finance Department. In order to handover the demanded amount, I went to Moirang Bazaar with my sister on this fateful day. On reaching Moirang Bazaar, no one was present to collect the money, and I received a call from the suspected insurgents directing us to come to Keibul Ithing to deliver the money. We met a women and an unidentified man at Keibul Ithing. After taking the money, they instructed us to sit inside the auto rickshaw and at gun point blindfolded me and took us to an unknown destination. We were kept in a fishing hut located within the phum (patch of land formed from mud and grass) and kept us and my sister captive for the night. They threatened me to bring more money and they would kill me and remain captive for many days if their demands are not provided. My family members were also threatened to bring more money. I was so frightened with their behavior I begged them not to kill me and to consider our life for the sake of my young children at home. Next morning I heard few gunshots and the cadres ran away, we also ran out from the room and came across some army personnel speaking in Manipuri. We narrated to them how we were taken hostage there and they took us to safety.

From this unforgettable incident, I find it very difficult to trust people, suffer from mental depression, very often gets disturbed and the feeling of uneasiness develops on slight tension at home. The fear that these cadres might appear again and made monetary demands also remains most of the time. The fear that I might be abducted again and went through the same trauma of that fearful night leaves me tensed and frightened.The underground cadres demanding money from the public on the ground of serving the public should be stopped. Women and children should not be abducted or kidnapped in order to meet their demands. 

Testimony of Smt.Mutum (O) Bimola Devi, a traumatized gun survivor

Testimony of Smt.  Mutum (O) Bimola Devi

I, Smt. Mutum (O) Bimola Devi aged about 43 years, W/O (L) Sh. Mutum Ibohal Singh, resident of  Yurembam Maning Leikai, P.O. Patsoi, P.S. Patsoi, District Imphal West, 795003, work at the brick kiln factory located 2-3 kilometers away from my house and I receive a salary of Rs.3000/- p.m.  I have four children, master Jonson, 14 years reading in class 7, master Roshan, 12 years reading in class 4, miss Rosita, 10 years reading in class 3 and miss Sangeeta, 7 years reading in class 1, all are reading at Yurembam Government High School.

When my husband was alive, he earned his living by working as a contractor and we had a poultry farm in our residential house. We were sufficient and happy with what he earned. He was friendly with one Pheiroijam Pungcha and I did not appreciate his company because there was a rumor in our locality that he connection with the underground cadre belonging to the Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council).

One day, I heard them discussing that there was a demand to the Pradhan of our locality from the group KCP (MC) for 7 mobile handsets and they should go for delivering the handsets to the cadres. I got very upset and made several attempts not to make him go with Pheiroijam Pungcha for delivering the handsets. I tore his pants and shirts on various accounts in order to prevent him from going. He also made several attempts to go and failed on many accounts.

However, on 18^th June 2008, he took dresses from his younger brother and went away quickly with Pheiroijam Pungcha on the pretext of delivering the handsets to Moirang and he promised that he would be back very soon. He did not return for many days, so our family members asked and searched for him in many places. We could not find him and I started presuming something bad must have happened to him.

On 29^th June 2008, we received a phone call from the State Police informing us about the death of my husband and his accomplice Pheiroijam Pungcha. We were told to collect their bodies, lying in the morgue of RIMS. I got dizzy on getting the news of the death of my husband. We went to collect his death body and came to know that he was shot in an encounter. We were told that several documents belonging to KCP (MC) along with a pistol 9mm were found in their possession at time of the encounter.  I went to the morgue with my in-laws, relatives and locality people. My husband’s body was already decomposed when we collected it from the morgue, it appears that he was killed many days back and the police gave the information lately. When I checked his decomposed body, there were several inflicted injuries on his right thigh and four bullet holes injury could be seen on his head. It seems my husband was harassed and tortured before he was shot to death. I felt so terrible and miserable, I got very angry, and cursed the police who killed my husband. I became depressed and cried along with my children that we have been left all alone to live on our own and thousands of question occurred on my mind, how could this happened to a person who was an innocent citizen.

I pleaded to my family members and local people to organize a rally and to form a JAC (Joint Action Committee), but my appeal fell upon deaf ears. There was no commotion against the alleged fake encounter and everyone remained silent as they have the apprehension that the police will come and harass them in future. There was no magisterial inquiry for further investigation of the matter and the matter became a closed chapter.

The underground cadres KCP (MC) published in the newspaper that my husband and his accomplice were not members of their group and they do not have knowledge and responsibility over his death.

I developed numerous problems after the death of my husband, starting from financial problem to adjustment with my family members. I started developing suicidal tendencies. My family members were though good to me and my children, and were helpful however I started getting inferiority complex and felt guilty over minor issues. At night when I go out for natures call, I do not feel comfortable moving around inside the house passing through the rooms. I get conscious that I am a nuisance and a burden to my family members. With the guilty conscience I shifted to the other house located in our courtyard which was used for poultry farming when my husband was alive. I made few necessary renovations and moved in along with my children. I do not depend on anyone and I suffered all alone. I always feel guilty and get conscious without any reason most of the time. I was a simple housewife when my husband was alive and hardly went out from the locality. Now, I have to go out, work and earn to support my children. Life has changed drastically after the death of my husband. After his death I developed fear psychosis, anxiety, depression and self discrimination. Whenever I come across the police I become scared and do my best to avoid them. I feel I am a burden to the society and do not wish to attend celebration, festivals or entertainment programs. I am living and working for the sake of my children.

Bust statue of Hijam Irawat unveiled

Wide Angle Social Development Organization, Sagolband Moirang Hanuba in observance of the 115^th birth anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irawat inaugurated a bust statue of the leader at its official complex on September 30,2011.

The inaugural function was graced by Retd. Wing Commander Ahanthem Hemchand, General Secretary of Moirang Hanuba Youth Development Organization (MYDC) Oinam Mangilal as the Chief Guest and President of the function.

Senior journalist and founder member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Yambem Laba was the guest of honor.

After paying floral tributes to the memory of the martyr. The Chief Guest, Ahanthem Hemchand unveiled the bust of Hijam Irawat.

The occasion also saw participation from children of CRY in a cultural function held afterwards. 

Convention on RTE stresses on need of a monitoring body

IMPHAL, September 29: A one day district convention on “Right to Free and Compulsory Education”(RTE) was held at Yurembam Awang High School today. The convention was jointly organized by Yurembam Apunba Club and Manipur Alliance for Child Rights.

N Nimai, retired joint director, education (s) graced the convention as the chairperson.

Special invitees including Gopi Mohan, Zonal Education Office, zone II, Yaima, deputy inspector, Zone I, L Chaobihal Devi, pradhan of Yurembem gram panchayat, Y Laba, senior journalist and founder member of Manipur Human Rights Commission and Pradip Kumar, convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights attended the convention and delivered their comments on the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Among the speakers, Pradip Kumar stressed that the Act has not been implemented in totality in the state and the children of the state have been deprived of their fundamental rights.

Comparing the right to education with the right to life, he said that to monitor the RTE Act from the grass-root level, the School Monitoring Committee (SMC) system have been instituted under the provision of the act to observe the conduct of the teachers and the functioning of the school so that the children may get the facilities so provided under the act.

He mentioned that a SMC committee consisting of 14 members should be constituted for every school and half of the committee should comprise of women as per the norms given.

Under the act there are provisions for exemption of 25 percent from the admission fees of the students during times of enrollment in private schools since the inception of the act.

“The students studying in class I should avail the facility in private schools, as the RTE have been in implementation from the previous year onwards, yet the private schools are still to address the issue”, he said.

“There should be no screening exams conducted for the admission of students to the private schools so as to ensure free and fair education, yet it still goes on regardless”, he added.

Mentioning the hindrances in the RTE act by the departments concerned, he said that the implementing body of the RTE, officials of the concerned education (s) department when approached were also confused in their stance regarding implementation of the Act in totality.

He stressed on the need of a monitoring body to oversee the implementing authority of the RTE for better transparency and providing the amenities under the Act.

“The need to institute the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is the need of the hour as such a body can monitor and fill the voids left lacking post implementation of the RTE Act”, he said.

Yambem Laba, also in a similar assertion stated that the state have been in a cesspool of corruption owing to many factors and has inherently affected the education sector.

He said that corrections in the system cannot be made overnight, but have to begin systematically from the grass root level onwards and will take time.

“Every individual or official has a large role to play in addressing the effective realization of the RTE , the requirement is to maintain one’s ideology and selfless endeavour in working to bring about a better system of delivering quality education by the government schools”, he said.

He further stated that behind the guise of non state actors, anti social elements have been preying on the infrastructure development of schools for monetary gains, such actions should be differed by the concerned and must have the courage to face the adversity to bring about a holistic change in the education sector and otherwise, he said.

The convention also saw participation from the attendees in an interaction session with officials from the education department.

It may be mentioned that the RTE Act, 2009 provides free and compulsory education to children from six to fourteen years of age besides other facilities of free text books, uniform, schoolbags, provision of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities among others.

http://www.ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=1929&catid=1 

Testimony of Sh. Leimakhujam Kokullo Singh

I, Sh. Leimakhujam Kokullo Singh aged about 47 years, S/O Sh. Leimakhujam Kulachandra Singh, R/O Haorang Keirel Leikai, P.O. Patsoi, P.S. Patsoi, District Imphal West, 795003, presently residing at temporary plastic makeshift tent at Sanakeithel Market, Lamphelpat, Imphal East District, selling seasonal fruits along with my wife. I have one daughter, Miss Purnima, 15 years old reading in class VIII at Lalambung Government School.

I was a normal person living a healthy and happy life with my beautiful wife and daughter. However, life took a drastic change with the two unforgettable happenings in my life. The incidents took away my normal physical posture and turn me into a physically challenged person which I have to live with it for the rest of my life.

The first incident took place in the year 1993. I had return from Tamenglong after doing some work there and was celebrating a small party with my friends at my house. After the party, I went to drop my friends till our gate, I saw a parked vehicle and I prompted to my friends that the vehicle might get hit by the bullock cart parking in the darkness. I was little rude in my tone as I was inebriated. Few people, suspected to be militants, were sitting in the darkness and they replied back so, we had an altercation. I threatened them and tried to set the vehicle on fire. My friends and relatives came out on hearing the altercation and stopped me from setting the vehicle on fire. We were pacified and they went away. After a lapse of 15 days on 3^rd July 1993, several armed persons, suspected to be militants belonging to the valley groups, came to our house at night and called me out at the gate. My father ran after me and begged them to spare my life. One of the people pushed my father and hit him with the rifle butt severely on his left lower back which made him paralyze for the rest of his life.  I was dragged out at the gate then one of them took out a gun and shot me on my right thigh at very close range. They disappeared after finishing their job.

I went for treatment several times with three major operations and failed to undergo the fourth and the final operation, where they were suppose to remove the bullet lodged inside the bone. I was able to do the fourth operation due to financial difficulties. The operation and injury severely affected my right leg and made me a cripple. I know, I was ruined as I was not able to go out for earning. I had no option, so I started earning from vegetable gardening at home with my wife and daughter. Life went on with great difficulty and my daughter was at home helping us without going to school due to financial constraints.

The second incident took place in the year 2010. On 3^rd August 2010, I was returning home with my wife and elder sister from Lilong around 3-4 p.m., (we went for medication of my sisters broken right hand), on a passenger auto rickshaw. We were stopped by the Army near Patsoi Police Station, all the male passengers were frisked and released except me, and I was told to board their vehicle gypsy without issuing arrest memo. I was blindfolded and taken to Patsoi Police station nearby. They asked several times to which group of insurgents I belong. The Manipuri speaking army dictated several names and asked me if I knew anyone of them. I disagreed I had no idea or connection with insurgents. My mobile was seized and later when I received a call from my brother, they prompted me to tell the caller I was in the market place in Imphal. I had no idea what their motive was behind.

They took me inside the adjoining room, made me lie on the floor, my hands and legs were tied and a huge log of wood was put under my neck. They started pouring buckets of water on my face and shouted how I helped the KCP (MC). I remained silent as I had no idea about their questions. The torture of pouring water went on for several hours (2-3 hours). I suffocated, swallowed plenty of water and suffered in silence. They made me sit in the dry area for few minutes and told me to reveal all the activities of KCP (MC).

I refused to give any information, so I was put in the room for the second time and they continued pouring water. One of them slapped me and plenty of water went inside and I started vomiting. I felt so terrible and dreadful, I felt I will never come out of this and live again with my family. Again, I was made to sit in the dry room and for the third time they started pouring water on my face for revealing information. However I refused to give information which I didn’t know. They continued asking where I deliver arms and ammunition for the insurgents.

Next, one of the army tied electric wire on my second toes of both the feet while I remain lying on the floor and electrocuted me. I lost my consciousness and whenever I regain my consciousness I was electrocuted again. The electrocution went on repeatedly three times and my condition became very dreadful. I felt so painful and horrible I completely lost my consciousness. They had no sympathy over my impaired limbs and tortured me so brusquely; I never knew I would come out from their confinement.

When I regained my consciousness, I was lying on the floor, hands and feet still tied and eyes blindfolded. I noticed that the cloth they had used for blindfolding me was my own white vest which was all stained with my blood from the torture. I could feel I was lying somewhere outside and my battered body was half covered with a sheet of cloth. I felt pain all over my body and with a slight move I could severely feel the extreme pain. Behind me the clock struck 4 am. I started imaging that they will finally release me as they had stopped the torture and interrogation and since they were not able to divulge any information from me. One of them brought some food and forced me to eat, I refused to eat as I was tied and suffering painfully. He forced me and said if I refused to eat, I would be killed. I was forced fed three to four mouthful of food. Out of fear and panic, I swallowed the unpleasant food with great difficulty.

On 4^th of August 2010, one Sub Inspector of Nambol Police Station came in the morning around 6-7 am along with his subordinates and hit me where I was lying. They asked what I knew about the KCP (MC). They hit me on my neck 4-5 times, folded back my hands and feet roughly like breaking a twig and left hastily. I overheard them telling the army, they had tortured in a wrong manner and therefore I was not able to reveal any information.

They again interrogated and asked which group I worked for and which arms they should use in order to kill me. They left me in this position till 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Then, I was lifted from my shoulder by two army men (as I was too frail and pathetic from their torture) and put me inside the vehicle gypsy. They took me around for a while and I developed the fear that I would definitely be killed on false account of being an insurgent. I was blindfolded, however I could feel they were driving towards Khumbong and were driving without destination. The captain of the army got down from our vehicle and through the wireless operator asked what they should do with me in Hindi. Then as if heeding the instruction we drove towards Nambol. Two army men lifted me from the shoulder and dragged me towards the PHSC of Nambol. I nearly fell when they made me walk alone; one of them kicked from behind with his heavy boots and instructed me to walk straight and properly to look fit and fine. Two young ladies doctor were present at health centre and the army instructed them to medicate me quickly and not mention or write in the subscription about the injury on my body. The two doctors refused flatly and called the Nambol police station. Few policemen turned up and gave the same instruction to the doctors not to mention on the prescription about the injury and instead they should write that the person was in good normal health.

Thereafter, we returned to Patsoi Police station and the I.O Sh. Ibochou Singh on seeing my condition told the army I was not in good health and around 7-8 p.m. took me to Regional Institute of medical Sciences at Lamphelpat for medical examination. I was medicated with few medicines and was in the custody of the police for the night.

Next day I was interrogated again and made me narrate my life story from the day I was born to my parents (without forgetting any events) till the moment I was apprehended by the army. They never stopped asking for which insurgent group I belong. I was afraid they would kill me all the while I was in their custody. I was not tortured however the apprehension of what was going to happen remained on my mind. I had to be careful and clear in answering their questions remained on my mind all the time. They even clicked my photograph with a plate mentioned that I belong to KCP (MC) group of faction.

Next day, i.e. on 6^th August 2010, I was taken to CID office and the same process of interrogation and narration of my life story continued and was conducted by the CID agents. They also repeated the same question- “for which insurgent group I belong”. I narrated the same story as was told to the police the previous day. My narration was same as was told to the police. Meanwhile the anxiety and anxious feeling of being tortured again and going through the moment of suffocation from pouring water and electrocution remains inside me throughout the time. I saw people being tortured and their screams and shouts rings inside my head all the time I was in their interrogation cell. I was relieved when they took me back to Patsoi police station. I thanked to God for saving me from their torture and harassment. The spirit that I may be released from their custody developed within me. My answers to their queries were same so I might be released again to reunite with my family, contained within me.

My injuries were still paining and my face was swollen. My wife and my elder sister visited me with home-cooked food. They were so remorse to see my battered and worn out situation, we were all speechless and helpless and we all cried together. I was not able to face them, I felt so ashamed and guilty. The army had tortured me with no concrete reason and my family members were all afraid and troubled for my dear life. I came to know from my wife, that, with the help of Human Rights organization, on the day I was captured, they had telecasted on ISTV about my arrest and disappearance and where I was taken away quietly.

I kept on recalling my family members at home during the ordeal; I could not do anything to the army and the police as well. Without any reason they have tortured to their hearts content and made me more helpless and impaired. In order to control my anger and hatred I felt like taking revenge, however, I am not young anymore, I have a wife and daughter to look after, so I need to control my anger and remain silent and somber.

On 7^th August 2010, I was taken to Kangla for interrogation. I was blindfolded on the way. The same process of interrogation and narration of my life story continued and repeated the same question- “for which insurgent group I belong”. I narrated the same story as was narrated on previous two days. My narration was same as was told to the police and CID. Then I was taken back to Police custody.

On 8^th and 9^th August 2010 I was taken to Cheirap Court for appearance before the Magistrate. I was freed on 9^th August 2010 and the Magistrate told me I don’t have to appear before the Court again as my case is not binding on any ground. I was very happy. After the release, I went home with my family members, offered prayers and went to RIMS for medical checkup at the casualty.

The post torture days were spent with great difficulty. I developed complications in breathing; my right impaired leg was paining excessively owing to electrocution and my body ached owing to repeated beating and torture. Before I was able to walk without the help of walking stick, however, after the torment, it has become my second friend. I remained bedridden for 2 months without any income. My father suffered grievously owing to my condition. He could not sleep at night and the rest of the family members were afraid throughout the night. Nights are supposed to be for taking rest, however in our case we were restless, petrified and alarmed what was going to happen. The intuitions that the army might appear again take me away and might undergo the same process of beating and torture, arise almost all the time. I don’t want to stay at home fearing the army. Seriously, I don’t want to go through the suffering and agony I had endured during the custody. I could go away for work but the anxiety of what will we answer if they happen to come and arrest me while I am away for work, made me extremely perturbed.

Even so, I gathered courage thinking for my daughter and decided to venture out for earning money. My daughter had stopped going to school due to financial constraints. I decided with my wife to sell vegetables and fruits. Now, we are selling seasonal fruits at Sanakeithel, Lamphelpat. Since it is far from our house, we are residing at the temporary make shift tent covered with plastic sheet at the market area. It is horrible when it rains but I cannot move freely owing to my heath constraints. I looked after the fruits at night and my wife goes home sometimes and she has to collect the fruits from the retailer for selling in our vendor. My daughter has started her education once more and studying in standard VIII at Lalambung Government High School.

Life has to continue with so many constraints and complications. My memory very often reflects back at the horrendous incidents. The consequences have simply put my life to so many limitations. I am not normal human being anymore. The anxiety, fear on seeing the army and police, the apprehension of being arrested again, uneasiness at night –all these fear psychosis prevail over me and family all the time. The phobia shall remain for the rest of my life.

Leimakhujam Kokullo Singh

Note: This case was filed before the National Human Rights Commission on 3^rd August 2011 as per the advice from Mr. Y. Laba – Former member of the Manipur State Human Rights Commission through on line.

Testimony of Smt. Mutum (O) Bimola Devi

I, Smt. Mutum (O) Bimola Devi aged about 43 years, W/O (L) Sh. Mutum Ibohal Singh, R/O Yurembam Maning Leikai, P.O. Patsoi, P.S. Patsoi, District Imphal West, 795003, works at the brick kiln factory located 2-3 kilometers away from my house and I receive a salary of Rs.3000/- p.m.  I have four children, Master Jonson, 14 years reading in class 7, Master Roshan, 12 years reading in class 4, Miss Rosita, 10 years reading in class 3 and Miss Sangeeta, 7 years reading in class 1, all are reading in  the Yurembam Government High School.

When my husband was alive, he earned his living working as a contractor and we had a poultry farm in our residential house. We were sufficient and happy with what he earned. He was friendly with one Pheiroijam Pungcha and I did not appreciate his company because there was a rumor in our locality that he connection with the underground cadre belonging to the Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council).

One day, I heard them discussing that there was a demand to the Pradhan of our locality from the group KCP (MC) for 7 mobile handsets and they should go for delivering the handsets to the cadres. I got very upset and made several attempts not to make him go with Pheiroijam Pungcha for delivering the handsets. I tore his pants and shirts on various accounts in order to prevent him from going. He also made several attempts to go and failed on many accounts.

However, on 18^th June 2008, he took dresses from his younger brother and went away quickly with Pheiroijam Pungcha on the pretext of delivering the handsets to Moirang and he promised that he would be back very soon. He did not return for many days, so our family members asked and searched for him in many places. We could not find him and I started presuming something bad must have happened to him.

On 29^th June 2008, we received a phone call from the State Police informing us about the death of my husband and his accomplice Pheiroijam Pungcha. We were told to collect their bodies, lying in the morgue of RIMS. I got hilarious on the news of the death of my husband. We went to collect his death body and came to know that he was shot in an encounter. We were told that several documents belonging to KCP (MC) along with a pistol 9mm were found in their possession at time of the encounter.  I went to the morgue with my in-laws, relatives and locality people. My husband’s body was already decomposed when we collected it from the morgue, it appears that he was killed many days back and the police gave the information lately. When I checked his decomposed body, there were several inflicted injuries on his right thigh and four bullet holes injury could be seen on his head. It seems my husband was harassed and tortured before he was shot to death. I felt so terrible and miserable, I got very angry, cursed the police who killed my husband. I became depressed and cried along with my children that we have been left all alone to live on our own and thousands of question occurred on my mind, how could this happened to a person who was an innocent citizen.

I pleaded to my family members and local people to hold rally and to form a JAC (Joint Action Committee), but my appeal fell upon deaf ears. There was no commotion against the alleged fake encounter and everyone remained silent as they have the apprehension that the police will come and harass them in future. There was no magisterial inquiry for further investigation of the matter and the matter became a closed chapter.

The underground cadres KCP (MC) published in the newspaper that my husband and his accomplice were not members of their group and they do not have knowledge and responsibility over his death.

I developed numerous problems after the death of my husband, starting from financial problem to adjustment with my family members. I started developing self discrimination. My family members were good to me and my children, and were helpful however I started getting lower inferiority complex and felt guilty over minor issues. At night when I go out for natures call, I do not feel comfortable moving around inside the house passing through the rooms. I get conscious that I am a nuisance and a burden to my family members. With the guilty conscience I shifted to the other house located in our courtyard which was used for poultry farming when my husband was alive. I made few necessary renovations and moved in along with my children. I do not depend on anyone and I suffered all alone. I always feel guilty and get conscious without any reason most of the time. I was a simple housewife when my husband was alive and hardly went out from the locality. Now, I have to go out, work and earn to support my children. Life has changed drastically after the death of my husband. After his death I developed fear psychosis, anxiety, depression and self discrimination. Whenever I come across the police I become scared and do my best to avoid. I feel I am a burden to the society and do not wish to attend celebration, festivals or entertainment programs. I am living and working for the sake of my children.

Smt. Mutum (O) Bimola Devi