Public discourse howls for repeal of draconian Act APSFA
Source: IT News

Imphal, May 22 2019: Even after imposing the Draconian law AFSPA for the last 61 years in Manipur, the government doesn't take any positive steps to repeal it leaving aside all the mass peoples movement.

For Assam some forward steps has taken up to removed disturbed area from their state but Manipur fails to move ahead regarding the removal of disturbed area neither the repeal of the Draconian law.

Though the state fails to suppress the liberation movement by various underground outfits through imposition of AFSPA, moreover the people were angered adding more fuel to the fire by imposing such Draconian law.

In connection with the imposition of the draconian Act, Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup(AMKIL) organised a one day meeting at Lamyanba Sanglen to mark the 61 years of imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 .

People attending the event wore black badges denouncing the Draconian AFSPA.

Public discourse howls for repeal of draconian Act APSFA

Addressing on the occasion Khangenbam Anandi, Advisor of AMKIL said that the people at both hill and valley area have been suffering for the last 60 years due to the atrocities of the security forces committed under the shadow of AFSPA.

She added that many people were raped, murdered and tortured in the name of counter insurgency operation.

The security forces even raped women in front of their husbands and family members, She added.

Anandi also recalled the tireless struggle of the people against the draconian act which curtail the right to life of the people.

Chairman of Committee on Human Rights (COHR), Phulindro Konsam while calling on the people about the needs for repealing of the draconian Act AFSPA also stressed on the need for a mechanism to safeguard the resources of the indigenous people and the land.

He added that AFSPA is an instrument to suppress and oppress the people of Manipur.

Highlighting the importance of Right to life Phulindro said that other Rights seems to be of no use if the people doesn't get their basic right to life.

A person may get enough education or may get good economy all goes in vain if their right to life were curtailed, he added.

He stressed that AFSPA is an act which curtail the right to life for the people of the state.

Phulindro reminded that the ordinance was first made by British during the colonial era to suppressed the Indian Freedom Movement.

Director of peace building action Ningthemcha Bobichand highlighted the need to maintain peace and tranquility at every society for survival, well being, identity and freedom of the people.

He added that AFSPA has refrained all the requirement to maintain peace in the state.

He added that people not only want to remove disturbed area status from the state but also to repeal the draconian law from the Constitution also.

A report done by Civil Society Coalition for Human Right's which was submitted to United Nation Human Rights Committee was also released.

Director of Human Rights Alert Babloo Loitoingbam said that the report presents a gist of the major human rights challenges faced by the people of Manipur and surrounding North East people region of India.

He added that the report primarily focus on the suspension of right to life, the lack of effective remedy, the non recognition of Ethnic minorities, the plundering of Natural resources of the land and political right to self determination.