Articles of/on/by Lenin & Shruti: May 18 Academy visits PVCHR

Articles of/on/by Lenin & Shruti: May 18 Academy visits PVCHR

Voice of voiceless: Thanks from the mothers of Manipur to you

Voice of voiceless: Thanks from the mothers of Manipur to you

Folk School of Dalitbahujans & Marginalized: May 18 academy supports dalit movement in India

Folk School of Dalitbahujans & Marginalized: May 18 academy supports dalit movement in India

Voice of voiceless: PVCHR actions against torture in Manipur

Voice of voiceless: PVCHR actions against torture in Manipur

Update information in the case of death threat

Police Station Cantt lodge FIR no. 171/09 against unknown person under section 504, 506 of Indian Panel Code (IPC) on 6th August, 09 at 21:50 hrs in the case of Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi. The FIR was lodge after enquiry by Deputy Superintendent of Police on the direction given by of DGP office, Lucknow.

However FIR was lodge under section 155 A of IPC, which is non cognizance by the police so, we are going to file a petition in the district Court for the further investigation.

Please see the given below linkage:
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2105
http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/07/india-human-rights-defender-once-again.html

FIR

PVCHR tributes Senator Ted Kennedy

"Today we lost the most important voice of our generation on behalf of human rights and social justice in the United States and around the world. Ted Kennedy was our indispensable hero on all these issues. He has supported the work of the RFK Center since his brother Bob's death in 1968 and we will miss him terribly." - Philip Johnston, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the RFK Center

The RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights is deeply saddened by the loss of an American human rights icon, founding Board Member and vital supporter, Senator Edward M. Kennedy. No public servant in America has done more to stand up for fundamental human rights both at home and abroad than Senator Kennedy. In an unparalleled career in the U.S. Senate, he has led the fight on behalf of America's poor, minority, immigrant communities and those who lacked a voice on issues including civil rights, workers' rights, and what he called "the fight of my life," the right of universal health care for all Americans.

Senator Kennedy has been a champion for international human rights, helping bring peace to Northern Ireland, rallying unity against apartheid in South Africa, and standing up for the powerless in past conflicts in Latin America and today in Darfur. He has brought light to injustices in lesser known parts of the world, including Western Sahara and the Dominican Republic.

"Senator Kennedy was an unrelenting force in American politics, continually pushing our nation to strive for our ideals of justice, public service, equality and human rights. Alongside his epic body of work in the U.S. Senate, his dedication to the RFK Center, including hosting the annual RFK Human Rights Award and unwavering advocacy, will reverberate in communities at home and abroad for years to come. He will always remain a beloved figure in the hearts of the disenfranchised around the globe", said Lynn Delaney, Executive Director of the RFK Center. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Vicki, their children, and the entire Kennedy family."

Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.

His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education's promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me.

In the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy.

I personally valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.

His fight gave us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives.

For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today -- to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.

Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still.

Sincerely,

President Barack Obama

Right to play to children

Right to play is a important right under UN Child Right convention(CRC),but Government of UP and India is not making any comprehensive program.Ms. Parul Sharma,Sweden with the alliance of 200 swedish supporters is providing the support for some Government school through PVCHR.Please see the smile of children and put the pressure on Indian Government.

India: Please take immediate action to save the life of the Female Human Rights Defender in Manipur,India

Dear Friends,

 

Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), Varanasi received information from its associates Wide Angle, Manipur that Female Human Rights Defender received threat for opposing the arbitrary detention of a school girl Ms. Salam Bidyarani Devi.

 

Case detail:

 

Ms. Ningthoujam Memchatombi Devi, Convener of Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the illegal arrest of a school girl was threatened by the Manipur Police Commando at around 12:30 pm for opposing the arbitrary detention of school child Ms. Salam Bidyarani Devi. This joint committee was formed for the release of the Miss Bidyarani.

 

After receiving information from the associates on 18^th August, 09 around 6.29 pm letter was sent to Chief Minister of Manipur and copied to Prime Minister and H.E. President of India with the plea for the immediate release of Bidyarani, 11 year old daughter of Mr. S. Dewan Shingh of Nongmaikhong, Mayai leikai, Imphal west district.

 

She was released around at 7 pm on 18th and on 19^th August, 09 at around 1:30 pm she was handed over to her family. The physical and mental condition of Bidyarani is not sound; as she became very weak and unconscious too.

 

According the information,S. Bidyarani Devi was picked up by the Manipur Police Commando on 14^th August, 09 and was detained in Mayang Imphal Police station for four days. Her detention is against the Honorable Supreme Court Judgment in case of D.K Basu Vs. Government of West Bengal, Juvenile Justice Act 2000 and UN convention on Child Right

 

19^th August morning her parents were also threatened, while they were working in the farm place which is 2 ½ km far away from her native place.

 

Therefore it is my kind request to provide immediate medical and psychological support to Bidyarani and ensure proper safety to Bidyarani family and Ms. Ningthoujam Memchatombi and the common people of Manipur to prevent the atrocities and establish rule of Law.

 

 

Background Information:

 

On 16th August, 09 arbitrarily detention and harassment of four innocent young boys by Indian para military forces (Assam Rifles posted at one Ningthoukhong village some 8 Km away from Karang island).

1.       Salam James so of Jhulon Singh Age 19 years, reading in Class XI

2.       Haobijam Nanao (Bobi) son of H. Kwaklei, age 21 years

3.       Oinam Somorjit Singh, age 18 years son of O. Sanaton Singh

4.       Master Nongthoujam Somarjit Singh, age 11 years son of Lukhoi Singh

It was revealed that the innocent young boys were their way to collect some materials like sands for smearing the bamboo made wall of a house with mud which is under preparation for a proposed marriage ceremony. Fortunately enough, our mission succeeded and four boys were released without much delay. The news of safe release of their children brought a sigh of relief and smile in the vexed faces of local women, who were deeply brooding over the uncertain fate of their children. The apprehension and angst wrote large in their faces spoke a volume about the fake encounter killings perpetrated by state actors that have already claimed many innocent lives in recent times. This is being a common phobia engulfed the psyche of phobia engulfed the psyche of every mother whose son has been picked up by security personnel in the state.

 

Prior to the detention of the young children and several times people of Manipur are facing the problem and in this context letter was communicated to concerned authorities –

 

Please see the given below linkage –

 

•  http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/04/racist-attack-on-manipurians.html

 

• http://www.tehelka.com/story_main42.asp?filename=Ne080809murder_in.asp

 

• http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2009/3234/

 

 

 

 

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities below to ensure that the safety and protection of the Female Human Rights Defender Ms. Ningthoujam Memchatombi and Bidyarani. To support this appeal, please click here:

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear __________,

INDIA:

Name of victim: Ms. Ningthoujam Memchatombi Devi
Date of incident: 19^th August, 09

I am writing to express my concern regarding the case of Ms. Ningthoujam Memchatombi Devi, Convener of Joint Action Committee (JAC) who was threatened by the Manipur Police Commando around at 12:30 pm for opposing the detention of school girl Ms. Salam Bidyarani Devi, age 11yrs.. This joint committee was formed for the release of the Bidyarani.

 

I am informed that after receiving information from the associates on 18^th August, 09 around 6.29 pm letter was sent to Chief Minister of Manipur and copied to Prime Minister of India with the plea for the immediate release of Bidyarani, 11 year old daughter of Mr. S. Dewan Shingh of Imphal west district.

 

I am also informed that she was released around at 7 pm and 19^th August, 09 around 1:30 pm she was handed over to her family. The physical and mental condition of Bidyarani is not sound; as she became very weak and unconscious too.

 

S. Bidyarani Devi was picked up by the Commando on 14^th August, 09 and was detained in Manyang Police station, Imphal. Her detention is against the Honorable Supreme Court Judgment in case of D.K Basu Vs. Government of West Bengal, Juvenile Justice Act 2000 and UN convention on Child Right.

 

I am informed that 19^th August morning her parents were also threatened, while they were working in the farm place which is 2 ½ km far away from her native place.

 

Therefore it is my kind request to provide immediate medical and psychological support to Bidyarani and ensure proper safety to Bidyarani family and Ms. Ningthoujam Memchatombi and common people of Manipur to prevent the atrocities and establish rule of Law.

 

For further information regarding this case please contact to +91 – 9935599333, + 91-9862009056, +91- 9862948678

 

 

Yours sincerely,


----------------

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

 

 

1. Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh
   Chief Minister of Manipur
   New Secretariat Building
   Bapupara, Imphal, Manipur
   INDIA
   Fax + 91 385 2451398
   E-mail: cmmani@hub.nic.in

 

2.  Chief Secretary, Manipur
   Old Secretariat Building
   Bapupara, Imphal, Manipur
   INDIA
   Fax + 91 385 2222629
   E-mail: csecmani@hub.nic.in

 

3.  Director General of Police
   Police Headquarter
   Bapupara, Imphal, Manipur
   INDIA
   Fax + 91 385 2223829
   E-mail: dgp.mnp@hub.nic.in

 

4.       Mr. P Chidambaram
Home Minister
North Block
New Delhi 110 001
INDIA
Fax: + 91 11 23794833

5.       Mrs Margaret Sekaggya
Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders
Att: Ben Majekodunmi
Room 1-040
C/o OHCHR-UNOG, 1211 Geneva 10,
SWITZERLAND
Tel: + 41 22 917 93 88
Fax: + 41 22 917 9006
E-mail: urgent-action@ohchr.org

6.       Prime Minister of India,New Delhi

<pmosb@pmo.nic.in>,

7.       President of India,New Delhi

        presidentofindia@rb.nic.in

 

Thank you.

Urgent appeal desk, PVCHR

 

Ripple effect of testimony

PVCHR with the joint venture of RCT provide testimonial therpy to Dr. Amardeep Gupta and his brother Ratan Deep and their family member in the training of trainer workshop in January, 09. The statement of Dr. Amardeep Gupta can be viewed at:



The selection of the cases was done on the hard core evidence of being beaten by the police. This video footage was uploaded by PVCHR on the You tube.




BBC, Human Rights Watch and Aljajira used this video footage for their documentary; it is how testimony and our work are contributing in broder debate against torture. The linkage can be viewed at:

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/07/29/india-overhaul-abusive-failing-police-system#SelectedAccounts


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8183158.stm

UP Police tops in human rights volation: survey

UP Police tops in human rights volation: survey

Overhaul policing system to arrest the alarming human rights violations by police

Overhaul policing system to arrest the alarming human rights violations by police

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Indian police accused of abuses

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Indian police accused of abuses

India: Overhaul Abusive, Failing Police System | Human Rights Watch#SelectedAccounts

India: Overhaul Abusive, Failing Police System | Human Rights Watch#SelectedAccounts

Realization of Right to Education at grass root: Pedagogy of oppressed | Education

Realization of Right to Education at grass root: Pedagogy of oppressed | Education

Long live the democracy struggle of Philippines

Meeting of core marchers of Global March against child labour with Ms.Corazon Aquino .Dr. Lenin,PVCHR also present there.


'Cory only true queen we had'
abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA - The Filipino nation paid tribute to former President Corazon Aquino on Wednesday with one priest describing the ex-president as "the only true queen the Filipino people had."

In his homily at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ, pointed out three attributes that made Aquino a great leader: her selflessness, her faith and her courage.

He said Aquino put love of country above self and family, which endeared her to the nation. He pointed out that Aquino was a woman of prayer who always turned to God whenever she faced trial or hardship. Finally, he said Aquino possessed courage and abiding loyalty.

"It was a strength that others could lean on. It was always there, it never wavered. It was never broken,' Arevalo said.

He said the greatest tribute given to Aquino were the thousands of Filipinos who lined up for hours, braving the elements, just to show their love for the mother of the nation.

"These words are for the mortals with bruised hearts who have lost the mother of the people....Perhaps a little less elegantly, the seminarian told me last Monday, she was the only true queen our people had ever had, and she was queen because we knew she truly held our hearts and in gentleness and greatness of her own," he said.

The funeral Mass for Aquino started at exactly 9 a.m. with Balanga Auxiliary Bishop Socrates Villegas, a close friend of the Aquinos, as the main celebrant.

Among those seen attending the Mass were Vice-President Noli de Castro, East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, former presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Rodolfo Biazon, Alan Peter Cayetano and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando.

http://coryaquino.abs-cbnnews.com/

Voice of voiceless: Open letter in the Matter of Manipur

Voice of voiceless: Open letter in the Matter of Manipur

Petition in Murder In Plain Sight at Manipur

To,

Chairperson,

NHRC,

India.

 

Sir,

Greetings from PVCHR.

 

Please see the link:

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main42.asp?filename=Ne080809murder_in.asp

 

 

It is the clear extra judicial killing. Please immediately take the action .

With kind regards,

Lenin

PVCHR

Murder In Plain Sight In Manipur, death comes easy. In this damning sequence of photos, a local photographer captures the death of a young man, killed in a false encounter by the police in broad daylight, 500 metres from the state assembly. How can a State justify such a war against its own people, asks TERESA REHMAN 1. Chongkham Sanjit, 27, is seen standing in a PCO with the Manipur Police Commandos adjacent to a pharmacy (marked by an arrow) in Imphal on July 23 2. Though surrounded by commandos, there is no obvious resistance from Sanjit (marked by a red circle)) 3. Sanjit is seen calmly walking away with the heavily armed commandos 4. While a commando reaches for his pistol, Sanjit remains visibly calm. They are standing barely 500 metres from the state assembly 5. Sanjit, known to be a former member of the People's Liberation Army, had retired on health grounds. Though surrounded, he is calm and there seems to be no urgency or imminent violence in the picture 6. In a sudden turn of events, Sanjit is hustled away roughly by the commandos 7. Sanjit is dragged by the commandos into the pharmacy. He has been surrounded by commandos for several minutes and is obviously unarmed 8. A few minutes later, commandos drag Sanjit's dead body out of the pharmacy 9. Sanjit's body is thrown into a truck. At no point while the camera was clicking had he offered any resistance to the commandos 10. Sanjit's dead body on the truck. The camera continues to click. The commandos make no attempt to stop the public gaze 11. The body of Rabina Devi, a pregnant bystander. She was killed a few metres away in the police firing when they chased a fleeing youth 12. Sanjit's body on a stretcher.His family claims he had broken his earlier links with the militants and was leading a normal life If any picture can speak a thousand words, these photos — available exclusively to TEHELKA — could fill volumes. They capture a shootout that happened in the heart of Imphal, Manipur's capital, barely 500 metres from the state assembly, on July 23. They show the moments before, during and after the 'encounter killing' of a 27-year-old Indian citizen – a young man called Chongkham Sanjit, shot dead by a heavily-armed detachment from Manipur's Rapid Action Police Force, commonly known as the Manipur Police Commandos (MPC). There is a grotesque and brutal history to the bullets that killed this young man. For years, decades even, security forces in Manipur have faced allegations of human rights violations and extrajudicial murders committed under cover of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). In 2000, Irom Sharmila, stirred by the gunning down of 10 civilians, including an 18-year-old National Child Bravery Award winner, by the Assam Rifles, started a hunger fast — that lasts to this day — in protest against the AFSPA. In July 2004, the nation was rocked by the protests of a group of Manipuri women who marched to an Assam Rifles base in Imphal, stripped naked and raised a searing banner: "Indian Army Rape Us". They were protesting the rape, torture and murder, a fortnight earlier, of Thangjam Manorama, 32, who was picked up from her home at night by the Assam Rifles. Manipur rose up in protest that day, and in August 2004, the Centre relented, withdrawing the AFSPA from Imphal's municipal zone. 'Post-Manorama,' as history is marked in Manipur, the army has taken a backseat, withdrawing outside the municipality. However, life in Manipur is still lived on the tightrope. In a seemingly new counter-insurgency strategy, the MPC has unleashed a reign of terror in the state. PAST INCIDENTS NOVEMBER, 2008: SALAM AJIT SINGH Singh, 30, was allegedly killed by the Imphal West Police Commandos and 39 Assam Rifles on November 7, 2008. Singh ran a taxi service. In January 2009 his family filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) DECEMBER, 2008: MD TASLIUMUDDIN Tasliumuddin, 20, a daily wage labourer, was allegedly killed in an 'encounter' by the Imphal West Police Commandos and 32 Assam Rifles on December 30, 2008. The NHRC has registered a case DECEMBER 2008: OKRAM RANJIT SINGH Singh, 27, a brick mason was allegedly killed in an 'encounter' by the Imphal West Police Commandos and 12 Maratha Light Infantry on December 22, 2008 in Imphal West district. The family has filed a petition with the NHRC JANUARY 2009: LAISHRAM DIPSON Dipson, 28, was allegedly killed by the Imphal West Police Commandos and 39 Assam Rifles on January 12, 2009 at Laingam Khul. The lorry driver's family has filed a police complaint JANUARY 2009: NINGTHOUJAM ANAND The 30-year-old auto rickshaw driver was allegedly killed by the Imphal West Police Commandos and 16 Assam Rifles on January 21, 2009. A complaint has been filed with the NHRC The organisation known as the Manipur Police Commandos (MPC) was first set up in 1979 as the Quick Striking Force (QSF). Former Inspector General of Police, Thangjam Karunamaya Singh told TEHELKA, "They were trained for special operations. But the men had strict instructions. They were told to fire only when fired upon and pay special attention to the needs of women, children and the elderly. If they arrested somebody on suspicion, they had to take responsibility for their security," stated Singh. The MPC does not fall under the AFSPA but has now become notorious across the state. It operates only in the four districts of Manipur – Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur. The MPC is housed in isolated commando barracks and has minimal contact with the general population, though its personnel are all locals. Extra-judicial killings, and, in particular, fake encounters by the MPC have become common in Manipur. In 2008, there were 27 recorded cases of torture and killing attributed to the MPC. Where once they conducted 'encounters' in isolated places, they now do not think twice before operating in cities, in broad daylight, as they did on July 23. In several incidents, innocent civilians carrying money and valuables have been robbed and sometimes killed. In some cases official action has been taken against commandos for misconduct. For instance, in July 2009, five police commandos who had reportedly robbed three youths were suspended. But for the most part, their extra-judicial activity goes scot free. According to the official version of Sanjit's encounter death at 10:30am on July 23, a team of MPC personnel was conducting frisking operations in Imphal's Khwairamband Keithel market. They saw a suspicious youth coming from the direction of the Uripok locality. When asked to stop, the version goes, the youth suddenly pulled out a gun and ran away, firing at the public in a bid to evade the police. The official record states that the youth was finally cornered inside Maimu Pharmacy near Gambhir Singh Shopping Arcade. He was asked to surrender. Instead, he fired at the police. The police retaliated and the youth was killed. The account states that a 9mm Mauser pistol was "recovered". The youth was identified from his driver's license as Chongkham Sanjit, son of Chongkham Khelson of Kongpal Sajor Leikai, Manipur. Usually, such official versions of encounters are difficult to disprove though everyone may know them to be false. But in an almost unprecedented coincidence, in Sanjit's case, a local photographer rushed to the scene and managed to shoot a minute-by-minute account of the alleged 'encounter'. The photographs (shown in preceding pages) clearly reveal that, contrary to the official version, Sanjit was, in fact, standing calmly as the police commandos frisked him and spoke to him. He was escorted inside the storeroom of the pharmacy. He was shot point blank inside and his dead body was brought out. The photographer, fearing for his safety, does not dare publish these pictures in Manipur. The photographs clearly reveal that contrary to the official version, Sanjit was standing calmly as the MPC commandos frisked him Eyewitness accounts partly corroborate the police version — except their account is obviously about a young man other than Sanjit. These witnesses state that a youth did escape from a police frisking party about a hundred metres away from where Sanjit was killed. The police chased this youth and opened fire, killing an innocent bystander, Rabina Devi — who was pregnant at the time — and injuring five other civilians. Afterwards, the police showed the media a 9mm Mauser pistol which they alleged was thrown away by the militant before he fled. After about half an hour, the police claimed to have killed the youth who escaped from their hands "in an encounter"; according to them, this youth was Sanjit. The photographs clearly indicate otherwise. The police claim Sanjit was a member of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), a proscribed insurgent outfit. Chief Minster Okram Ibobi Singh also made a controversial statement in the assembly that day, asserting that there was no other alternative but to kill insurgents. Sanjit was indeed a former PLA cadre. He was arrested in 2000 but freed. In 2006, he retired from the outfit on health grounds. In 2007, though, he was detained again under the NSA and was only released a year later. Since then, he had been staying with his family at his home at Khurai Kongpal Sajor Leikai and had been working as an attendant in a private hospital. But even if Sanjit was a former militant, he should not have have been killed in a false encounter. The photos show him talking to his killers, calmly, without offering any resistance. He was frisked moments before the shootout. He was not an insurgent on the run. In fact, Sanjit had to make periodic appearances before the Court, a requirement that the Court later lifted. "Legally speaking, Sanjit was a free man," says M Rakesh, a lawyer at the Gauhati High Court's Imphal Bench. There are also significant inconsistencies in the police versions of the recovery of the weapon. First, they said it was flung away by the fleeing militant. Then they said it was recovered from Sanjit after the encounter. As the photos show, Sanjit was ushered into the pharmacy, not chased in. Also, if Sanjit was, in fact, armed with the 9mm Mauser, why wasn't it found during the frisking? Why, as the photos show, was he taken inside the storeroom? First the police said the pistol was flung away by the fleeing militant. Then they said it was recovered from Sanjit after the encounter The law says if a death is caused by state forces in an encounter which cannot be justified by Section 46 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the officer causing the death would be guilty of culpable homicide. In this case, only a rigorous investigation can establish what exactly transpired. Instead of instituting a judicial enquiry, however, the state government is setting up a departmental enquiry, which is unlikely to yield any justice to the victims' families. Sanjit's family claims he had broken his earlier links with the militants and was leading a normal life. They say he had gone out that day to buy medicines for his uncle, who is undergoing treatment at Imphal's JN Hospital. Says Sanjit's mother, Inaotombi Devi, "Life is very cheap in Manipur." Manipur is routinely roiled by such devastating narratives. Ex-MLA 78-yearold Sarat Singh Loitongbam's son Satish Singh was killed by the armed forces. Though a devout Hindu, he refuses to perform his son's last rites until his name is cleared of wrongdoing. Like Satish, there is Ningombam Gopal Singh, a 39- year-old Grade-IV employee at the Imphal Bench of the Gauhati High Court, a man who was chatting over tea with women at a hotel when he was dragged off by men in plainclothes, to be shot dead in an 'encounter'. There is 24-year-old Elangbam Johnson Singh, a student and part-time salesman, picked up by the MPC while out with a friend and killed in an encounter, his corpse at the morgue bearing signs of torture. Stories like these are a grotesque lattice in Manipur. "Life in Manipur," as one observer puts it, "is like a lottery. You are alive because you are lucky." WRITER'S EMAIL teresa@tehelka.com From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 6, Issue 31, Dated August 08, 2009 Print this story Feedback Add to favorites Email this story