Meet demands repeal of AFSPA
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 03 2013:
Various social organizations and NGOs have questioned the rationale behind imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur and other parts of the country for more than 50 years when it is not serving its purpose.
Addressing a public meeting organized jointly by Widow's Groups (WG) of Kwakta, Khudekpi, Kairenphabi, Ngangkhalawai, Upokpi; Youth Association (KYA), Kwakta; United Community Development Platform (UCDO), Moirang; Women Group Against Discrimination (WGAD) and other women organizations at Kakwa Bazar today, President of All Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation, Sitara Bagum said that since the imposition of AFSPA, the lives of the people of Manipur are almost comparable to the lives of fishes inside a pot, where security forces can kill anyone at anytime.
Social Worker, Rabati Raman pointed out that government can impose AFSPA in a state during emergency that too only for six months.
But, "arrogant Indian government" is imposing the Act is Manipur and other parts of the country for more than a half a century now violating the fundamental rights of the people.
One of the victims of AFSPA M Umarani Devi of Moirang, whose husband was killed by security personnel, shared the ordeals of life as a young widow.
Social workers Md Nur Rahman; Md Abdul Mattib; L Pishak; Moulubi MV Abidur Rahman and President of Moirang Block Congress, Md Soukat Ali attended the meeting at the end of which a ten-point charter of demands was adopted for submission to the Prime Minister and the Union
Home Minister.
The demands include repeal of AFSPA as per the recommendations of the Justice Jeeven Reddy Commission (2005) and 2nd Administrative Reformed Commission of India (2007); to examine the imposition of the Act in North East; to initiate a political dialogue with all armed organizations in Manipur for long term peace and harmony in the state.