Political parties for AFSPA repeal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 03 2014: A one-day convention of different political parties discussed at length on the prolonged imposition of AFSPA in the State.

Representatives from CPI, MPP, JDU, CPI (M), BJP, NPF, Trinamool Congress and All India Forward Block participated in the conference, which was held at Manipur Press Club with Senior Citizens for Society General Secretary Prof L Sadananda as the moderator.

The convention was also attended by Just Peace Foundation Managing Trustee Kh Anandi and IPSA Advisor Ibotombi Khuman as presidium members.

JD (U), Manipur President M Tombi while speaking at the convention alleged that AFSPA has been imposed not to check insurgency movement but to suppress the rights of the people of Manipur.

In addition to intense people's movements, Irom Chanu Sharmila has been on a fast demanding repeal of the draconian Act for more than 10 years now, he said.

However, the Government of India is maintaining a stoic silence on the issue although they acted within a few days when Anna Hazare staged his indefinite hunger strike, he said.

Saying that many people have become victims of the draconian Act, Tombi said that repeal of the Act is not possible at all if people concede to the suppression of the State and Central Governments.

Trinamool Congress Member Lt Col (retd) Lokendra said that the Central Government does not pay attention to the demand of the people as the State Government has not taken a serious note of the issue.

Whenever the movement against AFSPA was intensified, the Central Government generalised the issue with Jammu Kashmir although the situations of these two States are vastly different, he added.

Lokendra opined that it is impossible to repeal the Act if the Centre keeps on generalising the issue with Jammu and Kashmir and North East.

Saying that the people of Manipur must be clear with their demand first, Lokendra said that it must be decided first whether the demand should be repeal of AFSPA from Manipur or North East or whole India.

NPF Member Jackson said that his party would not compromise on the repeal AFPSA.

Dr Nara of CPI said, it is unfortunate that the Centre has failed to act on the recommendations of Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission.

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