'Merger similar to eloping girl without consent'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 11 2012: President of All Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), Phanjoubam Sakhileima has categorically observed that forced merger of Manipur into India is like eloping a girl without her consent.

Speaking as an invitee at the function to mark imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 in Manipur (AFSPA-58 Imposition day September 11) organized Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) at Palace Compound's Lamyanba Sanglen, Sakhileima said, "There is nothing wrong in demanding what we have earlier; our right and sovereignty.

In a similar conduct of eloping a girl without her consent, India has forcefully merged Manipur" .

She also accused India of indirectly ruining the youth of Manipur by supplying various intoxicants, and said 'it is also one of India government's strategies to make our youth idle and useless' .

"Since most of the youth are abusing drugs and becoming weak day by day, it's hard to find a healthy youth in the present Manipuri society.

Among the youth population in the state, 90% of them are weak and idle today", she said.

Sakhileima further alleged that all the people of Manipur have become slaves of armed forces and they are unable to walk freely in their own land. Irom Singhajit, another invited speaker and elder brother of Irom Sharmila, recalled that AFSPA was passed as a Bill in the Indian Parliament on August 18, 1958 and it became an Act after the then President gave his consent on September 11, 1958 .

"Why the Act which was passed in the Parliament is being imposed only in North Eastern States and Jammu & Kashmir and not in other Indian states?", he questioned.

Referring to the most hyped anti-corruption movement being spearheaded by activist Anna Hazare, Singhajit alleged that the Central government and the people of the mainland India are always trying to foil anti-AFSPA movement and Sharmila's agitation.

Moreover, in an effort to tarnish the image of Sharmila and divert the public attention from her agitation, The Telegraph came up with report on the personal life of Sharmila to throw bad light on the ongoing anti-AFSPA movement, Singhajit said.

Guest of Honour of the function, A Mobi, President of All Manipur Journalists' Union, observed that for more than 30-years, the people of Manipur have been discussing the pros and cons of AFSPA and we are well informed about the Act now.

On the other hand, armed forces are trying to make friends with the youth helping them with some gifts and presenting sewing machines.

It makes a stalemate and confusion in the anti-AFSPA movement.

He also suggested two means to do away with the Act, first; intensification of people's movement against the Act and secondly, lobbying with all the Members of Parliament.

Stating that fighting behind the shield of Sharmila will not work out, Mobi said that if 100 people followed her path it will make an impact and India government would consider repealing AFSPA.

Unfortunately, none of us have the courage to undergo a fast unto death like Sharmila does.

Speaking as Chief Guest of the function, Arambam Lokendro, Senior Citizen, pointed out that AFSPA is the direct replica of the ordinance which was imposed by the then British Government to suppress the independence movement.

Referring to cases of molestation by armed forces personnels, Lokendro asserted that since the imposition of AFSPA, security personnel have been molesting Manipuri women and this indicates how the security personnel look upon the people of the state.

Delivering her Presidential speech, Soibam Momon, Co-Convenor of SAKAL highlighted the importance of civil women society organizations and suggested that they should work together.

President of Kabui Mothers' Association, Kaikomlunglu Kamei, who also spoke as one of the invited speakers, said that all the Civil Society Organizations in both the hills and plain areas should work together.

The movement to repeal AFSPA could only be achieved when there is co-ordination and support among the CSOs all over the state.

Y Lairikleima, President of KANGLAMEI; Yumnamcha Dilipkumar, President of PANDM; Y Nabachandra, President of UCM; RK Ranendrajit, Editor of Freedom and other distinguish personalities were also spoke on the occasion.

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