Thangjam Manorama

Thangjam Manorama (1970–2004) was a Manipuri woman who on 10 July 2004, was picked up from her home by the Indian paramilitary unit, 17th Assam Rifles on uncertain allegations of being associated with People's Liberation Army. The next morning, her bullet-ridden corpse was found in a field.[1] An autopsy revealed semen marks on her skirt suggesting rape and murder.[2]

Disparities in official version

At the time of the arrest, no incriminating items were found, as per the arrest memo. Later it was stated that a grenade and other items had been seized from her home.[3]

Assam Rifles claimed that she was shot while trying to escape. However, no blood was found near the body despite six bullet wounds. No soldier was identified as having tried to run or detain her.[1]

Given these disparities, a commission of inquiry was set up by the Manipur government in 2004, and submitted its report in Nov 2004. However, the Guwahati High court also looked into the matter and ruled that since the Assam Rifles had been deployed under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, the state government did not have jurisdiction over them, and the case should be dealt with by the central government. Thus, the report was never released subject to this judgment.[1]

Protests against the AFSPA

The failure to assign culpability in the alleged rape and murder case led to widespread and extended protests in Manipur and Delhi.[4]

Five days after the killing, around 30 middle-aged women walked naked through Imphal to the Assam Rifles headquarters, shouting: "Indian Army, rape us too... We are all Manorama’s mothers."[5][6] Padma Shree author M. K. Binodini Devi returned her award in protest.[7] Protests have continued in 2004 and over the years.[8]

In early 2012, the Justice Varma committee includes measures for reviewing AFSPA as part of a set of steps to reduce violence against women;[9] these measures are partly been attributed to the protests involving Manorama.[10][11]

Recently, in December 2014, in a case filed at Supreme Court of India, the apex court told to government to pay a compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs to Manorama's family. Case is accepted for hearing in the court. It was seen as one of the partial victory, but the doubt remains the same as even in past, compensations were declared for victims of AFSPA, but courts could not spell any judgement against culprits for awarding punishment. [12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi". Human Rights Watch. Aug 2009.
  2. ↑ Times Of India (12 July 2012). "8 years on, justice eludes Manorama Devi's family". timesofindia.indiatimes.com.quote: It has been 8 years since the bullet-riddled body of Manorama Devi, who was brutally raped and murdered allegedly by Assam Rifles personnel, was found at Laipharok Maring village in Imphal East. But her family is yet to get justice.
  3. ↑ http://www.dnaindia.com/blogs/post-a-victory-for-thangjam-manorama-1792650
  4. ↑ Geeta Pandey (27 August 2004). "Woman at the centre of Manipur Storm". BBC News.
  5. ↑ http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main19.asp?filename=Ne090206the_siege.asp
  6. ↑ http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=1.10.160704.jul04
  7. ↑ http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=1..180111.jan11
  8. ↑ Biswajyoti Das, Reuters, Manipur Burns, 9 August 2004
  9. ↑ http://www.ndtv.com/article/cheat-sheet/recommendations-of-the-justice-verma-committee-10-point-cheat-sheet-321734
  10. ↑ Anshul Kumar Pandey (25 January 2013). "A Victory for Thangjam Manorama". DNA (Newspaper).
  11. ↑ Editorial (23 July 2013). "The evidence is mounting". The Hindu.
  12. ↑ http://ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/right-to-justice-deprived-by-state-case-of-manorama-vs-afspa-from-manipur-india/
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