Consultation on IHL & AFSPA held
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Kakching, February 12 2014: North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) and Purum Tampak Area Development Peoples Organisation in collaboration with Lainingkhun Youth Club, Litan Youth Club and Purum Tampak Youth Club jointly organized a day-long Consultation on International Humanitarian Laws and Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 at Purum Tampak Government High School in Chandel District yesterday.

Advocate Basantakumar Warepam and Co-ordinator of North East Dialogue Forum Adam Kharam attended the consultation programme as Resource persons while Secretary of Yangdong Nupi Lup Shantibala Elangbam, Assistant Headmaster Purum Tampak Govt.High School PB.

Vincent and Advisor of North East Dialogue Forum Romeo Yulhung graced the inaugural function of the programme as Presidium Members.

Speaking on the occasion, Basantakumar Warepam said that in any situation of armed conflict, the internal humanitarian law or simply law of armed conflict should be implemented effectively.

The framework of international humanitarian law was set out in Geneva Conventions, 1949 and its additional protocols of 1977 .

He observed that given the various military operations carried out in the north east with specific code names like Operation Bluebird, Operation Dragnet, Operation Loktak, Operation Stinger, Operation Tornado, Operation Somtal-I & II, Operation Sunny Vale, Operation Summer Storm, Operation Rhino, Operation Bajrang and Operation All Clear, de facto existence of armed conflict is recognized.

So, the both the conflicting parties i.e., Government of India and the armed opposition groups must respect and implement the Common Article 3 of Geneva Conventions, 1949 and Additional Protocol-II of 1977 .

He also called upon both the conflicting parties to clearly identify between military objectives and non-military objects including civilian populations and combatants and non-combatants even while they are in war or confrontation and not to cause any harm or injury, death, torture, rape and assault to the civilians especially women and children.

Furthermore, he urged all concerned in armed conflict to respect the rights of the civilians as set out in the international humanitarian law and avoid committing crimes against humanity.

During the programme, discussion and interaction were also held along with the representatives of Youth Clubs, Women and civil organisations of the surrounding villages including representatives from Elangkhangpokpi and Yangdong Villages of Thoubal District.

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