Anti-AFSPA renewed campaign
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 16, 2012:
Undeterred by the Government of India's stubborn refusal to abolish Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, a renewed campaign has been launched against the infamous military Act, this time under the aegis of the Regional Alliance for Justice, Imphal East.
The campaign which would cover all the nine districts of Manipur was launched today at Hatta, Imphal East.
Speaking at the occasion, Women Empowerment for Justice secretary Ambrabati Takhelchangbam reminded that Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee and many international human right groups have repeatedly recommended the Government of India to repeal AFSPA.
Like Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee which was constituted by the Government of India itself, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission of India and the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination have also recommended the Government to repeal the draconian law.
Further, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Margarat Sekaggya after studying the impacts of AFSPA in Assam in January 2011 recommended the Government of India to repeal AFSPA.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Muvamthem Pillay, during his visit to India, remarked that AFSPA is outdated law belonging to the colonial era, Ambrabati quoted.
She attributed the increasing number of insurgent groups and rising criminal cases in Manipur to AFSPA.
She demanded the Government of India to set up a special court or legal mechanism to address the ever increasing cases of victimising innocent civilians by State forces.
The Government of India should take up necessary measures in order to provide social and economic security for the victims of State forces.
The new trend which pushed young women victims into flesh trade is a by-product of AFSPA, Ambrabati noted.The Government of India must ensure that AFSPA is repealed at the earliest and the people of Manipur allowed to enjoy all the rights entitled to other citizens of India, she demanded.