POLICE/CUSTODIAL DEATH - 2004.pdf - Indian Social Institute

Students Union, Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur and Manipuri Students Federation -throwing in their lot with womens groups who are spearheading the agitation. (Times of India6.8.04)8 th AugPrisoners end stir in Bihar (1)GOPALGANJ (BIHAR), AUG. 7. Over 675 prisoners, who had virtually taken charge of the jailhere, protesting against the death of an undertrial, Jalaluddin, this morning, allowed the authoritiesto resume charge of the prison. The inmates' demands, including regular visits by doctors,were met by the authorities. The Jail Minister, Raghvendra Prasad Singh, and the Jail Superintendent,S. Priyadarshi, said that the situation was normal and the securitymen, who weredriven out by the inmates, had regained control of the jail. Security has been tightened around thejail premises, Mr. Priyadarshi said. The inmates allowed the authorities to enter the jail followingan hour-long negotiation during which the authorities agreed to ensure the regular visits bydoctors for check-ups, besides making available adequate space for visitors. ((The Hindu 8.8.04)10 th AugCentre willing to pull out Assam Rifles (1)New Delhi, Aug 9: Home minister" Shivijaj' Patil' 'on Monday said that the Centre ' could pullAssam Rifles out of Manipur if that restored peace to the state. The remark to a televisionchannel came on a day when the Manipur situation — showing no sign of any improvement —figured in a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. But the Centre still appears in nomood to give in to demands to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. Asked by NDTVabout the possibility of withdrawing Assam Rifles, Mr Patil said: "If this is necessary to restorepeace in the area, and if this is seen as a pressing demand, then we are ready to respect thefeelings of the people of Manipur and withdraw Assam Rifles from the state. (Asian Age 10.8.04)11 th AugCommission warns Assam Rifles men (1)IMPHAL, AUG. 10. The Manmohan Singh Government may insist that the Army is "fully cooperating"with investigations into last month's custodial killing of Manorama Devi but the Assam Riflesmen involved are refusing to testify before the official Commission probing the incident.After the Commanding Officer of 17 Assam Rifles, Colonel Jagmohan Singh, and four soldiersknown to be present during Manorama's arrest failed to jyapear before the Commission today,the third day running, Justice C. Upendra, who is heading the inquiry, issued a sternly-wordedsummons warning each soldier that "if you fail without [a) just excuse, neglect or refuse to appearbefore the Commission [on Wednesday], coercive measures will be taken to compel yourappearance." The failure of the Assam Rifles men to depose has underlined a curious, almostKafkaesque, paradox about the situation in Manipur. In a submission, which Mr. Justice Upendrahad rejected in early August, the Assam Rifles had said that it was not safe for its soldiers tocome and testify in an open court-because of the threat posed by insurgents. (Hindu 11.8.04)12 th AugProbe ordered into police high-handedness (1)CHANDIGARH, AUG 11. The Punjab Governor and Administrator of Union Territory ofChandigarh, O.P. Verma, has ordered an enquiry into the beating of a young man and his parentsby the Chandigarh Police on Tuesday. Taking a serious note of the incident, Justice Verma hasasked the Inspector General of Police, Rajesh Kumar, to enquire into the incident and submit thereport at the earliest. He regretted that such repeated incidents and public display of might by thepolice was a blot on the functioning of a disciplined force. He said the Chandigarh Police insteadof chasing and beating the alleged traffic violator should have handled the traffic violationprofessionally. It may be recalled that residents of Sector 20 had blocked traffic and indulged instone throwing against the police to protest against the 'beating' of Amit Suri and his parents yesterdayafternoon. (The Hindu 12.8.04)Under fire, Assam Rifles unit shifts house (1)