SIPHRO

Press Release
August 22, 2006

The Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) condemns the senseless firing and attack of the church goers by the Rajputana Rifles at the Evangelical Baptist Church (EBC) in Vengnuam, New Lamka, Churachandpur district in Manipur on August 20, 2006.

This act of the Indian Army is not only an utter disrespecting of the sanctity of the Church and human beings, but also is in complete abeyance against the Geneva Conventions. The cowardly act not only claimed and injured innocent human lives, but also endangered many civilian lives as well, for which the Rajputana Rifles should be held responsible.

SIPHRO condoles and extend its solidarity to the bereaved family as well as the injured victims. SIPHRO urged the Government of Manipur to compensate the next of kin of those injured and killed for the irreparable loss. It also urged the authorities to identify, book and punish those security personnel who had committed this inhumane crime at the earliest.