Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, September 30:
Indicting the Army for human rights violations in the alleged custodial death of Th Manorama Devi in Manipur, the National Commission for Women (NCW) said the guilty should be given "exemplary punishment" even as it termed the protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act .(AFSPA) an "emotional outburst".
Releasing the report of the Commission's September 19-21 State visit to Manipur, NCW chairperson Poornima Advani said here today that the guidelines pertaining to human rights in the exercise of the special powers were clearly violated by the troops of the Assam Rifles in the Manorama case.
"The killing of Manorama by the armed forces is not a point of controversy.
And it is clear that guidelines pertaining to human rights were violated, one major omission being that when the Assam Rifles troops went to arrest Manorama, there- was no woman police officer with them," Advani said.
The NCW in its report recommends a "fast and fair" trial in the case and "exemplary action" against the guilty.
She, however, refused to Comment on allegations of rape of 30-year-old Manorama before she was killed, saying there were contradictory reports on the issue.
Noting that the visit of the NCW team headed by her to the State was dominated by the Manorama incident and the demand for withdrawal of the AFSPA, she said it was also clear that the agitation against the Act was an "emotional outburst" and called for an "intellectual dialogue" on the issue.
"We met the NGOs and representatives of the Apunba Lup which is spearheading the agitation.
While they all demanded repeal of the Act, they could not specify the sections they had any objections to or suggest an alternative mechanism," Advani said.
The NCW in its report has said the way out of the situation is a consultation between all the concerned parties - Central Government, State governments of the Northeast region and the local people.
It has also suggested that a solution could be an offer for a review of the Act resulting in some modification of nomenclature.
"The Special Powers by any other name, may be easier to sell," it said.
The Commission also noted a "growing distance" between the people and those governing them, and said it was "providing a fertile ground for mischievous elements to foment anti-national feelings".
In its report, NCW also mentioned the effect the agitation has had on the unique 'Women's Market' in Imphal, which is the biggest market in Asia to be run by women only.
"The agitation led to the business in the market coming to a standstill, affecting the 7000 women who have shops there," Advani said.
The NCW also demanded immediate setting up of a State women's commission.