Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 12:
Renowned social activist Prof BK Roy Burman today called on the Governor Dr SS Sidhu and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and has urged them to prevent Army excesses upon civilians.
The 83 year old retired professor is said to have prevailed upon the Governor and CM to debar Army officers and personnel who have not attended human rights course from taking part in operations.
Roy Burman also pointed to them that UGC had opened the Human Rights Course so as to minimize incidence of Army atrocities, he told mediapersons today.
Asserting that Universities having the course should be the moral authority of security forces� con- duct, Prof Burman also advocated inclusion in operations only those Army personnel who undertook and acquired certificate of completing the said course.
He also mooted framing strict rules to de-recognize or initiate action against security personnel found committing excesses.
The veteran social activist is also said to have suggested to the Chief Minister against handing over State�s law and order matter to Central govt bureaucrats besides advocating engagement of an expert judge of human rights in framing alternative law to substitute the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958.He also cautioned the CM against attempting to project amended AFSPA that would have same negative effect as the people would ultimately realise the content of the beguiling new act.
Even though the CM did not make any comment on the proposal placed by the retired professor, he said Governor Sidhu confided to him (Burman) that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be intimated on the professor�s suggestions.
Observing that the agitation against AFSPA may boil into a major issue if allowed to persist, he nevertheless pledged his untiring commitment to remove the Act from Manipur.
Stating that similar marches (Padyatra) would be organized at other States like Delhi, Orissa, Jharkhand etc to highlight the dark side of the Act, Prof Burman promised to return to Manipur and participate in agitations if necessary steps is not taken by the Government to address the grievances of the State people.