New Delhi: Nearly two decades after 14 people were killed in Imphal, Manipur, allegedly in CRPF firing, the Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a closure report saying the paramilitary force can’t be held accountable as there is not enough evidence.
According to the Indian Express, this closure report was submitted to the chief judicial magistrate of Imphal West on October 1.
The CBI’s report, however, contradicts the findings of the inquiry by the Justice C. Upendra commission, which had found that the CRPF’s “ill-considered” and “unnecessary” use of force was responsible for the deaths.
In a plea filed on November 27, the families of those killed have asked the Manipur high court to quash the CBI’s closure report.
The killings took place during a mass agitation in Imphal in 2001, triggered by the Bangkok accord between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland’s Isak Muivah. The agreement extended the ceasefire in Manipur, and protesters saw it as a threat to state’s territorial integrity. The over 50,000 protesters stormed the city centre and set ablaze several government buildings.
The CRPF opened fire at two sites – the chief minister’s bungalow and the Raj Bhawan.
Also read: Controversy in Manipur After CM Gives Gallantry Award to Cop Arrested With Drugs in 2013
The CBI has now claimed that much of the evidence – including medical reports and other documents – cannot be found. It also says only three deaths were officially recorded.
In the chain of untoward events, 14 people were killed and some injured as the security forces resorted to gunfiring, as they might have been compelled by the circumstances… they had the toughest time and were rendered the arduous task in controlling the wild mobs… as such, their services should be appreciated,” the CBI has said. “The circumstances were so volatile that he firing by the security personnel seemed to be unavoidable.”
The Justice Upendra report though, the Indian Express has noted, had contradicted these claims entirely. The commission’s report said, “…the firings which was justified initially had turned otherwise, the CRPF posted at the Chief Minister’s Bangalow complex had mishandled the situation and aggravated it unnecessarily. Their subsequent acts by making continuous firings indiscriminately even after the crowd/agitators left Chief Minister’s premises had aggravated the situation and turned it from bad to worse. It is my considered opinion that making of so many rounds continued firings after the crowd had started to leave Chief Minister’s Bangalow complex were ill considered on the part of CRPF.”