Source: The Sangai Express
Kolkata, August 24:
Hundreds of human rights activists took out a rally in the metropolis today, demanding immediate withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the North East after the rape and murder of a Manipuri woman Manorama Devi allegedly by Assam Rifles personnel.
A huge rally was also taken out Guwahati today against the AFSPA.
The rally began from the Jatin Das Park area and ended at Manipur House, where the agitators submitted a memorandum to the authorities registering their protest.
About 1000 demonstrators under the banner of Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) participated in the rally carrying posters and shouting slogans condemning the 'barbaric act' by the Assam Rifles personnel.
APDR general secretary Sujato Bhadra said Manora's plight was just the tip of the iceberg showing the autocratic functioning of the security forces in the North East, where they enjoyed special powers.