MHRC demands repeal of AFSPA
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 10 2021: Strongly condemning the brutal killing of civilians by Assam Rifles in Mon district, Nagaland; Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) acting chairperson Khaidem Mani has demanded the repeal of the draconian AFSPA from northeastern states.

Speaking to newspersons at MHRC office on Thursday, Mani condemned the inhumane killings in Nagaland, and said that the brutality was carried out under the immunity granted by AFSPA, an Act which should never have existed in the first place in India, the largest democracy in the world.

AFSPA, 1958 is a colonial law and by imposing it the northeast states, the citizens of the region have been reduced to the status of a stepchild.

An example of this is that the Act has not been imposed in other large states of the country, wherein there are frequent occurrences of law and order incidents.

The Act is no longer practical in present times and as such, should be scrapped from the north east states, he contended.

Mani then said that the state government has the power to impose or repeal the Act.

The disturbed area status is declared under Section 3 of AFSPA in the first place, he remarked.

The acting chairperson went on to say that although there have many cases of human rights violation in the state, not many complaints have been filed at the Commission.

As such, the Commission is unable to take up necessary action.

Any recommendation made by MHRC should be put into action.

If any department is found not adhering to the same, action/complaint could be taken up against them, he conveyed.

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