Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 05:
Noted social scientist, Prof BK Roy Burman, who is currently in Manipur to get a first hand account of the people's movement against the continued imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act today said in no uncertain terms, that though Delhi may have the information, what is more important is their perception of the situation here.
Talking to a group of media persons, during an informal interaction session at the Manipur Press Club, the octogenarian social scientist recalled how the then Prime Minister Late Indira Gandhi asked him to meet her on certain issues concerning Manipur.
"The Prime Minister had the requisite information of the ground situation here then, but what she wanted was to hear my perception of the situation," said Prof Roy.
It is this spirit which is lacking amongst the current crop of political leaders at Delhi, he said and recounted the typical reaction of the Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee to the situation here when the people rose as one to demand the complete revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
The social scientist further said that the movement against the AFSPA should not be confined to Manipur or the North East alone but should be made into an all India issue and added that for this to happen, it is important to galvanize the support of all the democratic forces across the country.
Categorically stating that the AFSPA is a threat to Indian democracy, Prof Roy said that as Chairman of the State Planning Advisory Committee, he had not only recommended the revocation of the Act but had also mooted the suggestion that all security personnel posted to Manipur should be made to undergo a three month Certificate Course in Human Rights.
It was not only the course that was important but also the fact that the security personnel, ranging from the highest ranking official, will have a certain degree of accountability as they can also be counted as students of human rights.
Apart from this, Roy said the Committee had also recommended certain mechanisms so that the security personnel could come under civilian control.
As reported in this paper earlier, Prof Roy will undertake a padyatra on October 8.The padyatra will start off from the Manipur Press Club at 6 am and will proceed to Thoubal, Kakching and other places.
Prof Roy will return on October 11.