AFSPA slammed on Intl Human Rights Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2013: Like in other parts of the world, rights campaigners, NGOs and Manipur State Legal Services Authority observed International Human Rights Day at different places today.

At Manipur Press Club, the observance function was organised by the Committee on Human Rights (Cohr) Manipur, while the Sharmila Kanba Lup organised a function at Keishampat Yumjao Lairembi community hall to commemorate the fifth year of relay hunger strike by Lup activists in solidarity with Irom Chanu Sharmila's campaign for repealing AFSPA 1958 from Manipur.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Manipur Press Club observance, All Manipur Bar Association president advocate Khaidem Mani stating that imposition of AFSPA contradicts democratic principles regretted that life of Manipuris depends on the mood swing of the Central leaders for Government of Manipur can do nothing to protect basic rights of the State people without the approval of the Centre.

Accusing the 60 legislators of Manipur for alleged failure to safeguard human rights of the citizens, he also opined that as far as corruption is rampant in the State there cannot be an effective mechanism to protect rights of the people.

Citing imposition of AFSPA as the genesis of fake encounter killings in the State, Mani also suggested that an independent body investigate fake encounter cases as entrusting the police to probe conduct of their colleagues can never deliver justice.

He strongly advocated awareness campaigns on human rights in such a manner that even the common public, particularly women activists have thorough understanding of the UN's stand on rights of every citizens.

According to COHR convenor Phulindro Konsam the global observance is very much rele-vant and significant in Manipur where citizens continue to live under an insecure environment inspite of the fact India is a signatory to the UN's Decla-ration of Human Rights.

Despite concerted campaigns by rights activists members of security forces accused of violating human rights continue to evade befitting punishment due to immu- nity granted by the AFSPA 1958, he said and iterated demand for scrapping the draconian law to ensure that citizens feel emancipated.

AMWJU president Wang-khemcha Shyamjai in his address said that observance of International Human Rights Day is an opportunity for every section of the society to join and contribute their mite in repealing AFSPA and other inhuman acts from the region.

At the Keishampat community hall observance, retir- ed Sessions Judge C Upendra categorically stating that AFSPA is the genesis for the continuous suffering of the people of Manipur stressed on more intense and sustained campaigns for scrapping the pro-military act.

Stating that sharmila's relentless movement for repea- ling the Act continues to provide ray of hope that the draconian law would certainly be scrapped, he said the observation of the Jeevan Reddy Commission that AFSPA is inhumane testify that the Act should be scrapped.

Frequent protest demonstrations against high-handed- ness by security force personnel, the extra-judicial kill- ing of Thangjam Manorama followed by senior Manipuri women staging nude protest at Kangla gate are enough evidence that AFSPA is being misused by law enforcement agencies.

Wondering what central leaders would do when security forces commit atrocities in larger States such as Delhi or Uttar Pradesh, the former legal luminary also insisted that feeling of anti-Indian sentiment by Manipuris is a collective outcome of mis-governance by the Centre.

As guest of honour, United People's Front president BM Yaima Shah suggested that rights activists work out a more effective campaign to repeal AFSPA from Manipur at the earliest, even as trustee member of Just Peace Foundation Irom Shinghajit claimed that none of the 60 legislators were willing to append signature in the Foundation's signature campaign for repealing AFSPA.

Terming the State legislators' attitude as double standard by pointing out that at public events most legislators oppose imposition of AFSPA, Shinghajit asked the Manipur legislators to follow their Jammu and Kashmir counterparts who have been collectively voicing opposition against the Act.

He also opined that series of blast in the capital areas recently might have been intentional incidents for extension of disturbed area status and ensure AFSPA remains in Manipur.

Sharmila Kanba Lup co-convenor S Momon Leima presided over the observance function.

Manipur State Legal Services Authority observed the event at the conference hall of Cheirap Court Complex with director of Manipur Judicial Academy Justice maibam Binoykumar Singh, Ch Brajachand Singh and advocate Khaidem Mani as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

At the Palace Compound office of Human Rights Initiative International Human Rights Day was observed under the theme "20 years working for your rights" .

Among others former editor AIR Imphal BB Sharma, former Manipur Human Rights Commission member Ng Nongyai, HRI acting chairman Y Ratan, Senior Lecturer of LMS Law College Dr N Pramod and Dr Th Uthan of JNIMS attended the observance function wherein HRI executive director W Joykumar elaborated on the theme.

Comment