More than 1,500 people are believed to have been killed either in fake encounters or accidentally over the last three decades in Manipur, say activists.
The Supreme Court has asked Manipur and the Narendra Modi government why no police cases have been lodged against the members of security forces who were suspected to have been involved in fake encounter and accidental killings in the state.
The top court was hearing a petition by non-profits and the families of those who have been allegedly killed in fake encounters or accidental firing by the army or police in the state. The petition was filed in 2012.
More than 1,500 people are believed to have been killed either in fake encounters or accidentally over the last three decades in Manipur, say activists in the state.
Regarding the alleged killing of a 12-year-old boy in Phobakcao near Imphal in 2009 in a joint operation by the Assam rifles and Manipur police commandos, the Supreme Court observed, "Prima facie this appears to be murder as the boy did not have any links with banned groups".
The top court asked both the Centre and the Manipur government if "payment of compensation was the end of the matter". It also asked what steps were being taken to bring those responsible for the killings to book.
"It is not about paying compensation, which hasn't even reached the victims, but about securing justice," said Babloo Lotonzbam of the Human Rights Alert in Manipur. His organisation is among the petitioners.
The court will take up the matter for hearing on October 5.