Political convention on the removal of AFSPA held
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 14, 2012: The Just Peace Foundation (JPF) today organised a One-Day Political Convention on the Removal of AFSPA from the state at the Hotel Classic, Imphal in relation with the ensuing General Elections to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Representatives of MPP, BJP, Trinamool Congress, MSCP, RJD, CPI and Civil Society Organisations attended the convention and expressed their opinions on the removal of Act from the state.

Assistant Professor, JNU Dr A Bimol Akoijam who also attended the convention said that people of the state have been facing the threats of the Act since long.

The Act has made the lives of the people in the state valueless.

It is unfortunate that people forget all the hardships and inconveniences given by frequent economic blockades, irregular electric supply and the threats of AFSPA in the time of election and begin hunting for candidates who can give more money.

The inability to elect the right person to the Assembly as their representatives is the main reason behind the present situation in the state.

It is the duty and also the right of the public to bring a change in the society, he said while reminding the sacrifice made by Chittaranjan and the nude protest staged by mothers of the state in front of Kangla.

Army is meant for use in war only.

There is no provision to use the Army in internal administration.

Even the Supreme Court has denied the report of insurgents disturbing the peace and tranquility in the state.

If the Act is being imposed in the state on the mere fact of the extortion cases, then Mumbai is far worse than Manipur, the professor said.

Even after the Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission, Hamid Ansari Working Group, Veerappa Moily Administrative Reform Commission recommended the Centre to repeal AFSPA, people of the state are not taking the issue seriously.

He appealed to the people of the state to choose representatives who will serve the society and the state instead of choosing their near and dear ones.

President of Senior Citizens for Society, N Binoy was the moderator of the evening session during which representatives of the participating political parties assured to repeal AFSPA from the state if they formed the next government.

BJP leader Professor Tikendra said that those parties who promised to repeal AFSPA could not form government since the people of the state do not elect them to the assembly.

It is very unfortunate for the people of the state to forget those social issues when the opportunities to bring a visible change come into their hands.

M Devbratta of MSCP, L Sotinkumar of CPI, N Sundari of RJD and Robin of MPP also talked during the convention and expressed their will to repeal AFSPA from the state.

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