Chittaranjan’s martyrdom and question of human rights in Manipur
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: August 17 2015 -

Malom Massacre, Thangjam Manorama, Pebam Chittaranjan and of course Irom Sharmila will be remembered for many generations as symbols of humanity’s voice against all forms of repression in general and the infamous, draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act or AFSPA in particular which gives sweeping powers to Indian military forces apart from guarantying complete immunity from legal prosecution.

This is rather strange that no civil court could prosecute military personnel accused of or suspected to have committed criminal offences in areas where AFSPA is enforced without permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It was the Malom Massacre on November 2, 2001 which dragged out then little known Irom Sharmila from her home to the streets.

Since then, she has been fasting non-stop against the archaic law called AFSPA which has its roots in the British colonial period.

Three years later, Thangjam Manorama was arrested by troops of Assam Rifles from her home. She was found lifeless next morning a few Kilometres away from her home.

Her body wore multiple bullet injuries and there were undeniable signs of sexual assaults of the most savage nature.

This particular incident hurt people’s sentiment so much that the State’s civil population rose in revolt against the brutish face of military forces.

The incident sparked a massive, widespread and sustained mass movement which raged on for months before culminating with a dozen braveheart Meira Paibis disrobing themselves in front of the historic Kangla gate (western), then occupied by Assam Rifles.

The movement rightly directed all its energy to abolition of the AFSPA.

This highly unorthodox protest with the slogan “Rape us, Indian army. We are all Manorama’s mothers” signified how much and how long AFSPA has been tormenting the body and mind of Manipuri people.

Like many people, Pebam Chittaranjan and his conscience could not tolerate how people in this corner of India were being treated as wretched, sub-humans.

He self-immolated on August 15, 2004 and he died the next day.

It was not any coincidence that Chittaranjan chose August 15, the Indian Independence Day to end his life.

He left a very clear message. What is life when you are denied the most fundamental human rights?

The country was celebrating Independence Day when Chittaranjan questioned with his charred body whether we (people of Manipur) are really independent, whether we are given the fundamental rights entitled to citizens of a free nation.

Our people, our leaders and the Government of India should delve into these questions.

Yes, Constitution guarantees every citizen of India all types of rights and freedoms generally entitled to citizens of free nations but in this part of the country where AFSPA operates unchecked, rights and freedoms have very different meanings.

It is like taking back by the right hand whatever is given by the left hand.

We can say for sure Chittaranjan’s martyrdom like no other martyrdom did not go in vain.

He will continue to inspire generations to fight for human rights and what are rightfully theirs.

Another equally significant question is, what use is food to a dead man.

This question is symbolized crystal clear by Irom Sharmila’s fast unto death campaign but the words ‘fast unto death’ are not quite appropriate to describe the very nature and purpose of Sharmila’s crusade.

Rather it should be read as “fast until AFSPA is repealed”.

When armed forces personnel suspected to have committed extra-judicial offences cannot be prosecuted by a civil court without permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the infamous AFPSA, we fear, can definitely take the shape of an instrument of persecution.

Again, we fear if this is exactly what is happening in this part of the country.

One must not overlook the fact that AFSPA has lethal potential to alienate more and more people.

Along with observing the martyrdom of Chittaranjan, we must ask ourselves the same questions he raised before the whole nation.

Once again, it’s time for the State to review without any sense of prejudice and discrimination merits and demerits of AFSPA.