Though the landmark decision of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) proving Sanajaoba was killed in a fake police action came as a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, in Manipur where human rights violations are reported frequently, the family of the victim which is fighting for justice as per the established law of the country observed that monetary compensation could never substitute justice. Ongbi Subharani,  Sanajaoba’s wife said that the compensation can not bring back the father of her three children and hopes that justice will prevail. “I’m happy with the ruling given by the National Human Rights Commission that my husband is not guilty,” she said.

To seek justice, the victim family has filed a petition to the Guwahati High Court and the case is under process.

Sanajaoba’s mother R. K Sorojini says that “While we appreciate the efforts of the Commission (NHRC), this act of theirs should not come in any way against fixing a befitting punishment to those who were involved in killing my son. Let my son’s case be the last one.”

NHRC based on a complaint by Asian Centre for Human Rights, in a recent recommendation stated that there are reports of 111 cases of fake encounter killings by the police in Manipur, and has sought explanation from the state government as to why it had failed to forward reports about the cases to the Commission. The concerned state officials couldn’t be contacted for their comment till the filing of this report.

However most of the families who had lost their loved ones in similar alleged fake encounters in the state are also awaiting the delivery of justice. One such family is that of 34 year old Longjam Uttamkumar who was shot dead by police personnel in his own Keishamthong Longjam Leirak courtyard in Imphal on March 29, 2008.

Sixty three year old Longjam Shanti alleges that his son Uttamkumar pleaded for his life and ran from house to house before being killed. Uttamkumar was a sales executive, but police allege that he was a militant and allegedly recovered a revolver, cash and a mobile phone from him after his death.

“A case is still going on in the Court and I hope for justice,” Shanti said. “Life never comes twice. How can we negotiate with compensation? I want justice from the State Government; otherwise the state will become lawless.”

Similarly, the father of another young man who was also killed in an alleged fake encounter on May 16 last year is presently trying to unite the Extra Judicial Victims Family Members, a group comprising victims of alleged fake encounters by forming the Extra Judicial Execution Victims Families Association Manipur.

Loitongbam Satish of Singjamei Oinam Thingel locality in Imphal West district was picked up along with one Pebam Gunindro while returning from the Central Jail in Sajiwa in Imphal East district. Gunindro was beaten up and released but Satish was killed after allegations of him being a militant. His family insists that he was studying at Kumaon University at the time. Helpless, Satish’s father, former MLA Loitongbam said, “I don’t think we’re getting the basic right to life here. I don’t think the situation will improve unless the government fulfills the sentiment of the people. Militarization will not solve it.”

According to a Manipur based NGO Human Rights Initiative sources, as many as 306 persons were killed by security forces while about 142 were killed by unidentified armed persons in 2009.

“I’m thinking of filing a fresh case to let everyone know my son is innocent,” echoes Kh Binashakhi, who got a compensation of Rs 4 lakhs for the killing of his eldest son Kh Tejkumar in another alleged fake encounter six years ago. Tejkumar, a resident of Uripok Laikhurembi in Imphal was reportedly picked up while he was watching a sports meet and shot dead in an alleged encounter on March 9, 2004. The helpless widow Nijirun Bibi, mother of 22 year old labourer Md Taslimuddin also known as Komol in his Lilong Chaobok Mairenkhun village in Manipur’s Thoubal district who was killed in yet another alleged fake encounter on December 30, 2008 is also still longing for justice.

At this juncture, human rights defenders and legal advisers in Manipur are of the view that a different approach to the whole issue is required for wholesome and complete justice besides the forming of a Joint Action Committee against the incidents.

Sobhapati Samom