NE consultation on human rights held in Agartala
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 29 2014:
North East Students' Organisation (NESO) with support from Twipra Students' Federation(TSF) organized a 'North East Consultation on Human Rights: Soliciting People's Opinion on Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958' at the Conference Hall of Hotel Rajarshi in Agartala (Tripura) today.
Biswajit Koloi, General Secretary of TSF welcomed the hundred strong delegation, consisting of student leaders, researchers, teachers, civil society leaders etc.
Sinam Prakash, Secretary NESO, in the keynote address, pointed out the need for the whole north east to come together to fight against the draconian act.
Anthony Debbarma of Borok People Human Rights Organisation, speaking as a resource person, detailed the atrocities committed under the shadow of AFSPA in Tripura.
Babloo Loitongbam of Human Rights Alert, also speaking as the resource person, called upon the people of Tripura to stand in solidarity with Irom Sharmila in her unprecedented struggle.
After a thread bare discussion, the consultation unanimously resolved to strongly condemn the discriminatory and racist nature of AFSPA particularly in its implementation in Tripura; demand the repeal of AFSPA and to call upon all the people of the North East to be united in this call; sensitize the student community of the North East on the human rights consequences of the prolonged imposition of AFSPA in the region; pressure the Members of Parliament from the North East region to raise the issue to repeal AFSPA in the Parliament during the forthcoming winter session; and ensure that the issue of repeal of AFSPA in the list of priorities of NESO.