Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 18:
The Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has demanded that the State Government take a definite decision on removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the entire State of Manipur during the ongoing Winter session of the Assembly.
In a statement, publicity sub-committee of the Apunba Lup said that the attention of the people are now being concentrated on the proceedings of the ongoing House session and the Manipur Government should act in consonance the interest and aspiration of the general public whose cause has been endorsed world-wide.
The people of Manipur have suffered severe humiliation under the draconian Act, it highlighted.
With the immunity granted by the despicable Act, security personnel have killed countless number of people while many others have been maimed for life, observed the Lup statement.
Moreover, bodies of many others could not be traced and honour of Manipuri womenfolks have been put at stake due to the Act, stated the Lup.
Apart from the two former MPs of Manipur, namely R Suisa and Laishram Achou, who had staunchly opposed imposition of the Act when it was introduced for the first time in the Parliament, no other representatives of the people had time to consider the plight of the people under the draconian Act.
Although human rights activists from within and other side the State have come out strongly against the atrocities of the security force personnel, the elected representatives are still refusing to listen to the cries of the people, the statement lamented.
When the people are being denied their right to life, what is the use for any developmental works being taken up by the State Government, it questioned.
Pulse polio immunization programme and health care measures are being taken up to make the young children free from diseases, but when they grow up, their rights are being denied.
In fact the number of children who have fallen preys to the draconian Act has been on the rise, the statement pointed out.