CSHR decries perpetuation of AFSPA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 11 2015 : On the 57th anniversary of the Armed Forces [Special Powers] Act of 1958 (AFSPA) that promulgated the controversial and draconian Act in Manipur and Nagaland, the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur (CSCHR) has once again condemned the perpetuation of this law that violates the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights despite a worldwide call for its repeal.

In a statement, CSCHR said that in this spiralling spread of impunity that has infected every sphere of governance in Manipur, the highly problematic implementation of this Act in Manipur ever since has not solved any of the problems it was meant to resolve.

In fact, the climate of impunity and unabated use of brute force by the State to deal with any situation has repeatedly compounded and complicated the situation in Manipur.

There have been reports of the divisive and partisan role played by Indian security forces in Manipur, most recently in Moreh in August this year.

The observed overall lack of training, preparedness and strict adherence to existing principles and guidelines of crowd control has resulted in the tragic death of one child in Imphal East district in August and nine other innocent lives, including one child, in Churachandpur district this month, and the violent human rights violations of more than a hundred persons, mainly young persons and children in Manipur, including reported arbitrary detentions, torture and cruel or inhuman and degrading treatment, and grievous injuries perpetrated by the law enforcement agencies in different parts of the State.

The State police and Central security forces have been let loose to inflict a brutally violent response by using disproportionate powers to suppress public protests in the last three months concerning a set of laws purportedly designed to address a critical issue faced by all the indigenous peoples and communities of the State.

Curfew and public restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed repeatedly during the last three months in the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Senapati, Chandel and Churachandpur in the wake of public protests against the atrocities committed by the State law and order machinery.

Public strikes, road blockades, market closures and public transportation shut downs have contributed to the volatile situation causing immense obstacles and restrictions in public life and Government functioning, it said.

Today, Manipur is on the brink of an inter-ethnic calamity.

If appropriate steps are not taken now there is every possibility of an explosion of dirty and violent ethnic hostilities that can only lead to a human and humanitarian disaster of such proportions that we have not seen before in this sub-region of South Asia.

CSCHR urged the State Government and all communities living together in Manipur to desist from partisan and divisive, non-inclusive processes and activities that can lead to a serious rupture of the democratic and sovereign polity of Manipur State.

The need at this critical hour is for all communities in Manipur to embrace constructive suggestions and inclusive dialogue as this is the only avenue to avoid a humanitarian disaster.

Further, CSCHR has also recommended to the Governments of Manipur and India to facilitate the healing of the suffering people of Manipur by immediately embarking on just reconciliation measures of redress by removing all legislative, policy and administrative encumbrances and obstacles in the State, such as the repeal of AFSPA and repressive discriminatory laws, re-establishing a fair and compassionate rule of law that is strictly in compliance with India's obligations to all its citizens, the supreme Constitutional provisions and international human rights and humanitarian law for the promotion of democracy and peace.

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