Anti-AFSPA sentiments high as Manorama remembered
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2013: Renewed calls for total repeal of the controversial Armed Forces' special Powers Act 1958 from Manipur marked the ninth death anniversary of Thangjam Manorama Devi held today at Bamon Kampu community hall.

The observance function jointly organised by Thangjam Manorama Memorial Charitable Trust and Apunba Lup was attended by social worker Thounaojam Iboyaima, Trust president Senggoi Luwang, and Lup coordinators Phunindro Konsam, Sunil Karam and Ayekpam Langdon Leima as the presidium members.

The lifeless body of the then 33-year old Manorama was recovered from an isolated location in the Baruni (Nongmaiching) foothills on this day in 2004 after she was rounded up by Assam Rifles troops the previous night from her Bamon Kampu residence.

There is strong suspicion that Manorama's modesty might have been outraged by the troops before being shot dead in cold blood.

Anti-AFSPA sentiments high as Manorama remembered

her controversial death had sparked off widespread protests, including nude protest by elderly Manipuri womenfolk which subsequently led to the shifting of the Assam Rifles battalion from the sacred Kangla.

After leading the gathering in offering floral tributes at portrait of Manorama, Th Iboyaima reminded the people that until and unless AFSPA is totally scrapped from Manipur it would be impossible to feel secure or expect to live under a conducive environment.

Noting that ever since erstwhile independent Manipur was merged into the Indian union there has been no stability in the socio-political situation for the past many decades, he opined that repealing the pro-military Act will be one of the factors for restoring normalcy in the State.

Speaking at the occasion, Sunil Karam highlighted that inspite of AFSPA being lifted from seven assembly constituencies of Greater Imphal areas misuse of the Act by security forces continue to occur from time to time even in these assembly segments.

Attributing slight decrease in the number of individuals slain by security forces to intense movement and continuous campaign against security force excesses, the Lup coordinator also recounted that audacious demonstrations by Manipuri womenfolk in the aftermath of the Manorama incident has constrained security forces to respect human value.

Expressing that ongoing military civic action programmes by the indian security forces is a diversionary tactics and attempt to cover-up misadventure of security personnel, he asked the masses to maintain constant vigil for there is every possibility that security forces might strike at the slightest provocation.

Langdon Leima in her brief comment lamented that inspite of lapse of nine years since Manorama was killed in a brutal manner there is no public information on what punitive action had been initiated against the rogue Assam Rifles troops directly involved in the killing.

Along with sustaining the campaign to ensure total repealing of AFSPA from Manipur, the masses should extend all possible cooperation and support in making anti-AFSPA campaigner Irom Chanu Sharmila's struggle reach the goal, langdon said while condemning both the state and Central Governments for remaining indifferent to the aspiration of Manipuris for an AFSPA-free existence.