Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 12:
Reacting to the recent comment of the Chief of Army Staff General JJ Singh on favouring continuation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 in the North East region as reflection of discriminatory intention of the Indian Army the Apunba Lup observed that people of Manipur should be even more vigilant to ensure their own safety.
Describing the Army chief�s contention of legal cover to security forces� conduct, the Lup in a statement said JJ Singh�s comment is nothing short of clearly indicating that Army is desirous of terrorising the people of North East in general and the Manipur public in particular.
Requiring constitutional protection to escape penalty of misconduct by Indian security force personnel is against the content of the very Indian Constitution that upholds safeguarding rights of the citizen, said the statement issued by the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup.
Moreover, JJ Singh�s interpretation of constitutional protection for its soldiers from being pulled up by law courts is akin to dishonouring dos and don�ts of the Supreme Court and taking law into its own hand, the Lup observed.
Meanwhile, expressing similar sentiment the Gauhati Manipuri Students� Association highlighted the draconian aspect of AFSPA and demanded its immediate removal from the entire region.
When the Prime Minister himself had observed that the Act is draconian there is no necessity of reviewing AFSPA no panel was set in scrapping the controversial POTA, said the student body�s press release.