UNLF lambasts CM's stance on NCTC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 07 2012:
The proscribed UNLF has denounced Chief Minister Okram Ibobi's open support to the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) as nothing short of selling off the people of Manipur in exchange for New Delhi's blessing and his post as Chief Minister of Manipur.
In a press release issued by its senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba, the outfit asserted that contrary to the claim of the Government of India that it was only assisting the State Governments in maintaining law and order, it is not a new thing that New Delhi has been directly responsible for imposing legislation AFSPA in States like Manipur abetting rampant human rights violation.
Against such policy of New Delhi, the State Government has no guts to raise a single voice of dissent.
Rather, security forces were given a free hand in exploiting the mass.
In spite of the provisions to provide arrest memos at the time of arresting any person and hand over the arrested persons to the nearest police stations within 24 hours, the security forces never paid any respect to these provisions.
Security forces and their agents have been arresting and killing people at their own sweet will, it alleged.
The incidents of involuntary disappearance, faked encounters, rape and murder of women are countless.
It was this rampant violation of human rights that the people vehemently demanded repeal of AFSPA as well as withdrawal of all Indian security forces from the soil of Manipur.
The woes of the public would be multiplied manifold once the proposed NCTC becomes operational.
Ibobi's statement that the NCTC was needed by human rights should be protected and that it should share intelligence with the State Government was mere words.
If the NCTC becomes operational in Manipur where people are already reeling under draconian AFSPA, people would not find any space to manoeuvre for their own survival.
The proposed NCTC is an attempt to further oppress the people, the outfit alleged.
In the meantime, capitalising on the international movement against terrorism, the Government of India has been making all efforts to brand the justified liberation movements of Western South East Asia which includes Manipur as terrorism.
It is within this design that several armed groups are being groomed to turn against the people and oppress them.
Pointing out that many States not ruled by non-Congress parties have raised strong opposition against the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the outfit remarked that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh by supporting such initiative of New Delhi only exposed his anti-people attitude.