Rally taken out against AFSPA
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 15 2015:
People took out a protest rally against the prolonged imposition of AFSPA in the State at Kshetrigao Awang Leikai in Imphal East district today.
The rally was staged under the joint aegis of North East Dialogue Forum, Manipur, KIYC, Kshetrigao and meira paibi bodies.
Earlier, a public meeting under the theme, 'International humanitarian law and right to life' was held at LIYC ground.
Speaking at the meeting, FIDAM president K Ranjit said that security forces have been harassing and killing the people of the State under the cover of the draconian Act since the past many years.
As a result, many persons whose whereabouts could not be traced after suspected security personnel picked them up from their houses are now recovered as skeletons, he added.
Although, the case of discovery of skeletons and skulls from the campus of erstwhile Tombisana High School had been handed over to CBI, no leads could be ascertained even after the lapse of two months, he added.
Saying that CBI has neither taken up any step for conducting DNA test nor expedited the investigation, K Ranjit questioned how the general public can stay calm at this juncture.
Advocate Md Rabi said that recent detention of Minister Francis Ngajokpa and MLA D Korungthang was a clear example of security forces' high handedness and questioned how they would protect the people if they could show such conduct even to elected leaders.
As such, the Government must understand how the people have been reeling under intense hardships meted out by security forces, he added.
He also urged the general public to organise similar rallies and meetings at their respective localities to demand total repeal of AFSPA.
Apart from different intellectuals, local elders also spoke at the meeting.