MP Dr Meinya raises AFSPA issue in Lok Sabha again
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 21 2015 :
"The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), is redundant, infamous, inhumane and most importantly terrifying in the so called troubled regions of the North East and Jammu & Kashmir," MP Dr Th Meinya told the Lok Sabha.
Raising the AFSPA issue for the third time this year, Dr Meinya said the latest causality is the State of Arunachal Pradesh, one of the North Eastern States of the country.
Out of 19 districts, 12 districts, which cover almost two-third territory of the State, have been declared disturbed under this infamous and notorious AFSPA, 1958 .
This is contested by the Arunachal Pradesh Government.
The constitutionality of this Act has been questioned time and again by the United Nations.
Violence and insurgent activities are the two fundamental premises which determine whether a particular area should be categorized as disturbed or not.
"I come from the State of Manipur which has a record that its people have suffered a lot under this Act.
Many people have been killed in alleged fake encounters.
Several cases of forced disappearances and huge violation of human rights against women and children have come to notice because of this infamous Act," he said.
The MP raised the issue earlier on Feb 25 and also on March 10 .
"I have urged the Union Government to immediately consider repealing this draconian Act.
A number of committees and commissions have recommended repealing of this Act.
Over and above this, as many as 169 countries across the world have recommended repealing of this Act.
Enough is enough.
Is it a deficit in democracy? I once again urge upon the Union Government to immediately consider repealing of this inhumane Act," he said.