Convention on AFSPA held in Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, November 01 2015 :
A convention on Repeal AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) was organized at New Delhi today with the objective to bring the demand to pepeal AFSPA in the priorities of all political parties.
This convention was organized on the eve of 2nd Nov, when the infamous Malom massacre of 2000 took place following which Irom Sharmila, better known as Iron lady of Manipur launched her marathon hunger strike against the Army Act.
The Convention was attended by eminent speakers including Neingulo Krom (Secretary General of Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights), Babloo Loitongbam (Human Rights activist from Manipur), Swami Agnivesh , Prof Nandini Sundar, Prof Deepti Priya Mehrotra, Ashok Agrwaal, Henri from Forum Asia and others.
Youth and other activists also attended the convention in large numbers and extended their support towards the cause.
The convention was organized by Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), Bonded Labour Liberation Front, Just Peace Foundation (JPF), Forum Asia and Human Rights Alert.
Those who participated also signed sheets to endorse the demand of Repeal AFSPA from all regions (North East and J&K) and release of Irom Sharmila.
Irom Sharmila, a woman from Manipur is completing 15 years of her hunger protest on Nov 4.She is observing the fast as a form of protest since the 2000 (when she was about 28 years old), and she started it just after Malom massacre where Assam Rifles opened indiscriminate firing and killed 10 local civilians who were waiting at a bus stand in Malom, Imphal (Manipur) .
Irom decided to register her protest because incidents of torture and killings were common in Manipur and under the immunity granted by AFSPA, nothing could be done against the security personnel.
Irom Sharmila started her fast and is still continuing.
Her demand is to repeal AFSPA, as it is under the immunity and impunity granted by AFSPA that has led to numerous cases of civilans being killed by security personnel.
AFSPA has provisions to shoot even to the extent of causing death kill merely on suspicion.
No case can be lodged against any security personnel without pre-sanction from Central Government.