Hindu : 11 Apr - Editorial : Upholding the right to life

This article is regarding the insurgency and its after affects being seen in Manipur which still is highly unstable in terms of peace among civilians. Though it is accepted that rebellious behavior was seen in most of the citizens this article specifies on the atrocities which were being committed by Army personnel in the name of suppressing the rebellion. Sandip Hegde' committee which was formed because of the public petition on the authenticity of encounters happening in Assam region clearly revealed in their report that seven out of six were direct consequences of fake encounters and activists believed that there were 1500 deaths. At this juncture one would really doubt whether army or any military personnel were being honest in their job or were silencing the rebels in the name of encounters. Though Supreme court made an understatement that the case in Manipur is 'mere carelessness' of the judicial system in not drawing the lines for the Protectors to safeguard peace. In the name of peace keeping the author feels that Right to life which is the atmost right for any one alive was being ignored.

Though Supreme court has told that they would consider Hegde's report with highest priority , it is evident from the incidents of the past that no action could be taken against these fake encounters one which had the death of Manorama Devi in 2004. Reasons being the army being held safe under the rule that no one from army is liable to trial for a civilian crime. In our country Army is considered above the law because what ever they commit is pardoned since they are doing it in the line of duty. for the past one decade there have been new laws on paper for Do's and Don'ts of the army but as said no serious implications were driven from such laws. Even though it is difficult for supreme court to order an investigation for all encounters, a demand done by Universal Human Rights Commission, it would at least keep in mind Right to life is something which comes by birth and no person can be above law under this Right.

                                                                                                        - Vamshi Regalla