A Supreme Court lawyer has approached the National Human Rights Commission over the custodial death of a woman in Manipur and sought direction to the Centre to institute an inquiry into the incident and issue notice as to why the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act and Disturbed Areas Act should not be repealed.
Expressing shock over protests by a group of naked women over the death of Th Manorama Devi, Manish Goswami in his petition said, "This reflects the deep sense of hurt, bitterness and anguish prevailing among the people in the state of Manipur due to the systematic and continuous abuse of their basic human rights by the armed forces with the active cooperation of the civil administration."
Manorama was reportedly picked up from her house on July 10 by Assam Rifles jawans and her body was found hours later with bullet wounds.
There have been widespread protests since the incident, including a two-day strike in the state, which led to imposition of curfew.
The petitioner requested the NHRC to direct the Centre to institute an inquiry into the role of Assam Rifles in Manorama's death and a notice why the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act and Disturbed Areas Act, in force in the city, be not repealed.
"These acts are as draconian as POTA and deserve to be repealed," the petitioner alleged.
