Hegde panel's recommendation on AFSPA discussed
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, February 21 2014 :
A deliberation on the Supreme Court Appointed Justice N.Santosh Hegde Commission's Report and Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 was held today at Sugnu Bazaar.
Rev.Onthong Khongsai Asst.
Superintendent ECI, Chandel; W.Basanta, Advocate; Ms.Lhaineikim Haokip and U.Nobokishore, Convener, North East Dialogue Forum graced the event as presidium members.
The program was jointly organized by Langching Youth Games, Society, Educational and Development Association, Sugnu and North East Dialogue Forum.
Speaking as a resource person, U.Nobokishore, convener North East Dialogue stated that imposition of AFSPA by India in the north east and Manipur in particular is same as waging war without declaring the emergency in the region.
He said that considering the various massacres, massive human rights violations during military operation, rapes, enforced disappearances and tortures committed against the civilians by the security forces amount to crime of genocide, crime against humanity and war crime.
He recalled the report of the Supreme Court appointed Justice N.Santosh Hegde Commission stating that all seven persons killed in the six cases probe by the panel proved to be extrajudicial execution in fake encounters.
Besides, many persons including women and children were killed, tortured, raped and disappeared involuntarily in Manipur stated, Mr.Nobokishore.
He added that Manipur is a victim of crime against humanity, crime of genocide and war crime.
Therefore, he strongly advocated for setting up Special Investigating Team and investigated into all the cases of rapes, tortured, killed and enforced disappearance.
Otherwise, Special International Tribunal under International Criminal Court be established and investigated the cases stated, Mr.Nobokishore.
W.Basanta, Advocate stated that right to life, right to justice, right of fair trial and rights against torture are non-derogable rights even in times of war or conflict.
He said that it is time India recognize the existence of armed conflict in the north east and Manipur in particular and allow the humanitarian services by respecting the international humanitarian law.
He also cautioned that any parties to the conflict committing crimes against humanity, war crime and crime of genocide can be investigated by constituting Special International Tribunal one day.
He thus, urged all the parties to the present conflict to respect and implement common article 3 of Geneva Conventions, 1949 and Additional Protocol-II of 1977.He also called upon the armed opposition groups to sign and respect the Deed of Agreements of Geneva Call on the use of landmine, violence against women and children.
Ms.Lhaineikim Haokip, another resource person stated that it is women and children who suffer the most due to the ongoing armed conflict.
She said that the protracted armed conflict has forced many women and girls to become widows, drug abused, sex workers and HIV+.
She thus, urged the masses to be sensitive and united against all forces trying to destroy the society.