Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 06:
Acknowledging the suffering of the general public due to excesses committed by security personnel under the immunity granted by Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958, five former Chief Ministers of Manipur today fervently appealed to the Governments and the civil societies to initiate some peace process without fear or favour.
In a joint statement, the former CMs stressed that both the State and Central Governments should not shirk away form their responsibilities in trying to redress the deep rooted agony and grievances of the people while at the same time appealing to different insurgent outfits' to feel the suffering of the people and shun violence so that solutions can be worked out through dialogue and consensus.
In this context, the civil societies have a big and important role to play and "we call upon them to come forward.
Its voice should be loud and clear, unaffected by fear or favour," said the statement.
It also proposed to the State and Central Governments to take initiatives and give the call for the dialogue by immediately drawing up a master plan for peace and prosperity in the State.
On the prevailing situation following the public protest against the killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi by personnel of 17 Assam Rifles, the former CMs expressing grave concern, said the present scenario is a natural manifestation of years of pent up anger exploding due to frequent abuse of law and violation of human rights.
The Manorama incident also provided the impetus to the long standing complaint of the public against excesses committed by security force under the cover of AFSPA, they observed.
Time has come to introspect on the utility of the Act and to examine if it is serving the cause for which it was promulgated vis-�-vis the public sentiment against it, the statement asserted while endorsing the public cry that prolonged indiscriminate use of the Act has not only alienated the people of Manipur but has also done great harm to National integrity.
State Government and the Centre should ensure meting out expeditious and exemplary punishment to those involved in the custodial killing of Pastor Jamkholet Khongsai and Manorama Devi, contended the statement while mooting that law of the land should not be seen as upholding such treacherous crimes.
"While standing in solidarity with the public to condemn the excesses committed under AFSPA we feel that we should not be oblivious of the ends the Act purports to achieve," added the joint statement.
It further maintained that even though AFSPA was imposed initially to contain insurgent activities related problems have not diminished but has only resulted in aggravating the already volatile situation.
Referring to the strong public abhorrence of the Act, the former CMs regretted that general public have been caught between the proverbial devil and the deep sea.