Bodies hail Govt stand on AFSPA
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 01 2022:
Welcoming the withdrawal of 'disturbed area' status under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) from various parts of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur by the Union and state governments, Extrajudicial Execution Victim Families Association, Manipur (EEVFAM) and Human Rights Alert (HRA) have stated that this a step in the right direction.
In a joint release, EEVFAM president Renu Takhellambam and HRA executive director Babloo Loitongbam recalled that they had petitioned the Supreme Court of India seeking justice for 1528 documented victims of extrajudicial executions carried out from 1979 to 2012 in Manipur under the shadow of AFSPA.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was directed to investigate the cases where there are already earlier prima facie findings.
CBI registered 39 FIRs, out of this, 30 final reports have been submitted to the respective Chief Judicial Magistrates (CJM) in Manipur.
In cases where the alleged perpetrators are police personnel, the Government of Manipur has granted prosecution sanction under Section 197 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the trials are underway.
However, in case of personnel of the central forces named as the perpetrators, the Union Home Ministry passed orders denying prosecution sanctions under Section 6 of AFSPA.
Six such cases have been submitted to the CJM so far, it pointed out.
The joint release continued that when sufficient evidences of the extrajudicial killing are laid out before the CJMs by none other than the premier investigating agency of the country, and that too under the direction of the apex court, the Union government is insisting on halting all further legal proceedings.
CJM of Imphal West has referred the matter to the High Court of Manipur in February 2021 to ascertain on how to proceed with the cases.
But with little progress in the High Court, the victims seeking justice are left high and dry, it decried.
As such, EEVFAM and HRA suggested that Government of India take the next logical step to grant prosecution sanction of the security personnel found involved in the extra-judicial killing of civilians.
People's Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM) has also lauded the central government for reducing disturbed areas under AFSPA, 1958 in Manipur.
In a release, PANDM IPR secretary Roshnikanta Takehlcha said that announcement of reducing disturbed areas by union home minister Amit Shah under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi signified that they sincerely love the people of Manipur.
Such initiative was taken by central leaders as the government of Manipur led by N Biren exerted pressure by knowing the sentiments of the people, he opined while lauding the CM.
As a sister organisation of North East Forum for Indigenous People (NEFIP), PANDM also extended gratitude for reducing disturbed areas in Assam and Nagaland as well, Roshnikanta added.