India: Summary Execution

Case IND 200897

The International Secretariat of  OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in India.

Brief description of the situation:

The International Secretariat has been informed by reliable sources of
the grave concerns that exist over further human rights abuses in the
North Eastern State of Manipur, India. The information concerns the
alleged summary execution of Mr Ramaso Shingnaisui  a farmer (48, from
Awangkhul, Ukhrul Town, Ukhrul District, Manipur) 

According to the information received, a Convoy of the Indian Army
(The Assam Rifles) was ambushed by members of the armed opposition
movement near the Saint Savio English School, Ukhrul District at
around 8.45 am. 17 July. Following the ambush, the information states
that  Mr Ramaso Shingnaisui was arrested on the 17 July 1997, at 10 am
in Awangkhul, Ukhrul Town by the members of the Assam Rifles battalion
stationed at Somsai, Ukhrul District when he was returning home
apparently in connection with the ambush.

At 4 p.m. on the 19 July 1997 the Assam Rifles authorities informed
the Ukhrul Town police of the death of Mr Ramaso. Shingnaisui. When
the police went to the Assam Rifles camp, the body was apparently
already inside a coffin. 

A FIR no. 55(7)/97-Ukl. PS/Us 302 IPC dt. 19/7/97 was registered in
the Ukhrul police station in connection with the death. A post-mortem
was conducted in the Regional institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS),
Imphal on 20 July 1997, the post-mortem revealed that the body seemed
to have been buried but later dug up.  

The presence of the Army in the state of Manipur has been the subject
of considerable criticism from both national and international human
rights groups for its frequent abuses of human rights in the state of
Manipur and many other North Eastern States . The army appears to
operate without the consent of the civil administration and acts with
almost total impunity. The army is empowered by the armed forces
(Special Powers) Act which has been applied in the state of Manipur
since 1980 and in some areas of that state for much longer.

The Human Rights Committee in its recent examination of the report of
the State of India underlined its particular concerns with regard to
Manipur:CCPR/C/79/add.81/ in paragraph 19 :

"The Committee regrets that some parts of India have remained subject
to declaration as disturbed areas over many years  - for example the
Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been applied throughout Manipur
since 1980 and in some areas of that state for much longer  - and that
in these areas, the State Party is in effect using emergency powers
without resorting to article 4 paragraph 3 of the Covenant" [which
discusses the need to inform the UN and the nature of the derogation
of rights implied].

Action requested:

Please write to the authorities of India urging them to:

i.	guarantee an impartial and exhaustive enquiry into the death Mr
Ramaso, identify those responsible, bring them to trial, and apply the
penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided for by law .

ii	take an immediate action to bring an end to the violations of human
rights in the state of Manipur and other North Eastern States

iii.	take all necessary measures to guarantee appropriate assistance
to victims families, including the right to redress.

iv	ensure in all  circumstances respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and
international standards. 

Addresses :

H.E President Shankar Dayal Sharma, Office of the President,
Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi 110 004. India. Fax : + 91 11 301 7290

The Prime Minister I.K. Gujral, Office of the Prime Minister, Gate No.
6, South Block, New Delhi 110 001, India. Fax : + 91 11 301 9817

Mr. Indrajit Gupta, Honourable Minister for Home Affairs, Government
of India, North Block, New Delhi 110 001, India. Fax: +91 11 301 57 50

Justice M N Venkatachaliah, Honourable Chairman, National Human Rights
Commission, 9, Sardar Patel Bhawan, Parliament Street, New Delhi 110
001, India. Fax: 00-91-11- 334 0016

Geneva, 20 August 1997

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.