AFSPA repeal vows galore as northeast enjoys peace
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: April 30, 2022 -

IF at all state or central forces deployed in the north-eastern states exercise restraint and avoid civilian casualties, then it is likely that neither the denizens nor the rights organisations would pitch for repeal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from the region.

The only reason why there has been persistent demands to do away with the British-era pro-military law from the northeast is due to the security officers unable to impress upon the foot soldiers that enactment of AFSPA 1958 is to shield the security personnel from facing criminal prosecution for eliminating confirmed insurgents or terrorists and not to cause harm to the innocent civilians.

However, there had been numerous instances of excesses committed by the men in uniform in the region, especially in Manipur, under the garb of counter-insurgency operation which compelled the citizens and CSOs to construe imposition of the Act as discrimination of the northeast denizens and devaluation of human lives.

Amid the series of insurgency-related incidents in Manipur from the 1980s and early part of the millennium year during which killings in suspected fake encounters or injuries suffered due to atrocities by security forces used to be a daily affair, there were intense debate on whether brutality of the uniformed personnel or activities of insurgent groups is responsible for the restive situation in the state.

History is evidence that this period witnessed bloody shootouts and injuries suffered by civilians in cross firing almost every day in addition to frequent allegations of excesses committed against civilians.

That AFSPA 1958 has done more harm than help the civil administration in maintaining law and order had been laid bare when Manipur-based Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association (EEVFAM) approached the Supreme Court and pleaded for delivering justice to 1528 victims of alleged fake encounter deaths in Manipur in a decade's time and probe by a special investigation team.

Taking due cognizance of such an unprecedented scale of killings, purportedly in counter-insurgency operations, the Supreme Court shortlisted 98 cases for investigation.

Years after the apex court's decree, there has been no significant progress made by the probe agency, which also seems to relish only in serving notices to media houses to share evidences.

Nevertheless, it is heartening to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that efforts are on to remove AFSPA completely from the northeast region.

As stated by the PM during the 'Peace, Unity and Development' rally at Diphu town in Assam's Karbi Anglong district on Thursday that the AFSPA could be withdrawn from various parts of the region as the law and order situation has improved in the last eight years.

No doubt, erstwhile insurgency-infested northeast, including Manipur, has been witnessing tremendous decrease in violence consequently emboldening the regional governments to lift imposition of the pro-military Act from different parts of the region, with the consent of the Centre.

There is strong possibility of further improvement in the situation in case governments in those states, where insurgency movement is not yet over, could impress'upon the active outfits to weigh the pros and cons of ceasing hostility for specific months or years, even if unwilling to come to the negotiating table.