Groundwork for talks with Prime Minister begins
Source: Manipur Mail
Imphal, October 23:
The two day convention on people's movement against AFSPA held on October 22 and 23 at MDU hall organized by the Working committee of the Apunba Lup concluded today.
Th Iboyaima presided over the function.
Prof Sanajaoba dean of law Guwahati University stressed that the Chief Minister O Ibobi leader of the SPF government promised that he would repeal the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 from Manipur.
The people of Manipur is now asking where has that promise gone.
He misinformed the people he charged.
The constituent partner of the SPF government CPI also promised that the party would withdraw its support from the government.
That promise is meaningless to the public.
They are anti people he said.
History will punish those who are against the people.
Those who are anti-people will have to pay the price for the wrongs done.
Any government in the world should honour the people's civil disobedience movement he said.
Dr Pardeshi said that the AFSPA is a outdated law.
It expired.
There is no need to review the act.
It should be repealed from all parts of the country.
The AFSPA derived from the Armed Forces Special Ordinance 1942 which was created by the then British Colonial rule to control the Indians.
The then Indian leaders termed the act as black laws.
So, the government of India should hear the voice of the public demanding the withdrawal of AFSPA.
Prof Arambam Lokendrajit said every citizen of India should stand against the AFSPA.
Really it is a black law.
Under the act the Indian army and the security force have been torturing the people of Manipur since a long time.
There should people's movement against the AFSPA and we should continue our agitation until and unless our demand are met.
Even the father of nation Bapuji broke the law by launching civil disobedience movement against the British Colonial rule he said.
The racist and hegemonic attitude of the corrupt political system has led to such laws he said.
Such an act which could be used only during emergency is promulgated without declaring emergency.
All humanitarian laws are violated.
Large numbers of people from all sections of the society spoke during the two day conventions.
It was largely agreed that it is meaningless to speak with the state government as it can not do anything.
Possibility of speaking with the Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil was also ruled out as the WCAL is not happy with his style of negotiation and handling of the situation.
Most speakers said the only approach the centre has is to send more forces to deal with any situation.
The people of the region are seen from a different perspective and the only way to deal with all problems of the region is military methods it was pointed out.
People are not treated like people.
The impacts on the society by promulgation of such a draconian, inhumane act should be analyzed so that the proper perspective could be presented it was felt.