The arrival in the national capital of Ms. Irom Sharmila Chanu has put the spotlight back on the AFSPA.

Ms. Sharmila, who's been on fast since November 2000 in protest of this atrocious Act has come to be a living symbol of Gandhian-style passive resistance and citizen power against the might of a cynical and repressive government.

It is simply impossible to emphasize just how cynical and repressive this Congress-led Government is, both at the Centre and State levels. It should be clear even to a blind man that the Act has failed to fight and defeat insurgency in the northeast—if ever that were the objective.

From only one insurgent movement when the Act was promulgated in 1958, the number of insurgent/militant groups in the northeast is now close to 50. And they are operating freely in their own zones, the overwhelming Army presence notwithstanding.

The 'national security' argument' is bogus at the very least. What the Act achieved, singularly, is to unite and give a rallying point for anyone who holds a grudge against the Indian state.

The Act is becoming a red rag for the northeast bulls. It is truly being identified now as an emblem of state repression and an instrument of wilful subjugation of its own citizens. There is thus, no justification of its continuance, unless of course, the Act is an end in itself.

Sharmila's arrival in New Delhi has invigorated the citizens' movement for repeal of the Act. A flurry of meetings and symposiums are being held at various places. Placards and pamphlets fill up university campuses.

The media has done its part too, by giving prominent coverage of the agitations and highlighting its repressive nature. But the Government remained unmoved. It will not repeal the Act, it will not made the review committee recommendations public and it will not even tell us why it is doing so. Its contempt for reason and public opinion is breathtaking!

It was on June 6, 2005 that the five-member expert committee instituted by the Manmohan Singh Government to review the AFSPA submitted its report to the Government. On June 7, a copy of the report was handed over to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

This committee headed by Justice (Retd) BP Jeevan Reddy had been set up in November 2004, after the Prime Minister visited Manipur and promised to consider replacing the Act with 'a more humane law that will address both the concerns of national security and the rights of citizens'.

As of today, sixteen months and nine days had elapsed since the committee's recommendations reach the Government. And the Government has the gall to say that it is still examining it!

However, with the committee's Report finding its way to the media, it will no longer be possible for the Government to maintain its pretences.

According to a report in The Hindu, which claims to have the Report in its possession (Oct 8, 06), the committee in its 147-page report unambiguously recommends the repeal of the controversial law, saying 'the Act, for whatever reason, has become a symbol of oppression, an object of hate and an instrument of discrimination and high-handedness'.

It quoted the report as saying that 'it is highly desirable and advisable to repeal the Act altogether, without, of course, losing sight of the overwhelming desire of the overwhelming majority of the (northeast) region that the Army should remain (though the Act should go)'. It thus makes clear that the Army and the Act need not always go together.

This is just what I believe is needed for a state like Manipur where, at least in the hill districts, the threat of atrocities and repression from underground elements is still far greater than that from the Army. But then, what can we do if the Government refuses to see reason?

Lastly, let me try to wound up this piece on a comic note.

Because I have come to know that one can always trust our politicians to invent one where there are none. It sure is becoming fashionable to talk about AFSPA, even for the politicians.

On October 10, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) organized a public meeting at a hostel in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on the theme- 'AFSPA and its Impact on the Northeast'. Four Congress politicians, one each from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Assam were to speak on the occasion. It looked fine, except for the fact that it was a disaster.

Mr. PT Thungon, the former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh drone on and on about his own political career. 'Not just Indiraji or Rajivji or Soniaji, I have been well known to Vajpayeeji, Advaniji and Murli Manohar Joshiji,' he intoned.

He had, in fact, discussed many things with them 'across the table, face to face'. Then, came Dr. Thokchom Meinya. The first five minutes were inaudible (which, of course, seem to be an essential Manipuri character). He repeatedly described AFSPA and Manorama case as 'very interesting subjects'.

He wondered aloud how The Hindu came to possess a copy of the review committee report. He observed that it should not be so difficult to sort the issue (AFSPA etc) out.

Amidst loud giggles, we scurry out of the hall. Laughing.