Why AFSPA in a Democratic Country
- Part 2 -

Urikhimbam Jenison *

Campaign to support Irom Sharmila 11 year long Hunger-strike and repeal AFSPA at New Delhi on Nov 5 2011

On 25th and 26th December 2014, eight human skulls were discovered during excavation work in the former school complex of the Tombisana High School, which used to be occupied by Indian paramilitary forces in the peak of the insurgency. This is also one of the outcomes of the excessive power given to the security forces and the army. In the remote areas of all the nine districts of Manipur, it is seen that the government schools are occupied by the Army. Building bunkers in the surroundings, check posts to keep a watch on passersby, and manning the educational premises with sophisticated weapons is clear violation of the right to education for children.

The security personnel behave indiscriminately; it seems they are ordered not to respect the people. The people living in the villages are mainly engaged in cultivation of rice and other crops and these cultivations of crops need careful supervision, particularly, during water crisis. The people living in the area face problems, as they are told by the deployed Army to work during a specific time period in a day as they are not allowed to go out before 6 a.m. and cannot return after 5p.m.

The engagement with crop cultivation consumes time and sometimes overnight supervision is needed to protect the crops from destruction by herbivorous animals. Villagers are told to report every movement of their work and it is made mandatory to produce ID card to enter the own village. This leads to mental illnesses and people cannot live normal lives. They are emotionally and mentally upset, anxious, and their whole system of life and livelihood is disturbed due to the conflict.

The sign boards with the phrase/slogan, “RESPECT ALL AND SUSPECT ALL” being in use by the Army in their respective check points, are existing realities, and the negative attitude manifested toward the civilian population is noticeable all along the Imphal–Churachandpur Road.

The cultural lives of the people are also affected due to the motives and practices of the armed forces. Kwatha Village, located along the Imphal-Moreh Road, Chandel District is inhabited by indigenous Meitei tribe members. There are not more than 75 households with a population of only 400 people and the Village is the oldest Meitei village in the District. Meitei community celebrate Lai Haraoba festival for worshipping the forest god. The festival is celebrated in honour of the sylvan deities known as Umang Lai.

The festival represents the worship of traditional deities and ancestors. In this village, the temple and the ground where the people worship were occupied by the Indian Army for many years and the people were not allowed to celebrate the festival in season. Kwatha Village is just 18 km from the Myanmar border and people have experienced many humiliations from both the Army and the insurgents. Therefore, the people living in the Village ask many questions such as: are we part of India or are we slaves of India?

This is not only because of insensitive activity that violates Article 25 of the Indian Constitution but also because of actions that violate Articles 19 and 21. Other constitutional provisos being breached by the Army, paramilitary and State police are not highlighted out of fear.

As India shares a border with Myanmar, the customary trade practiced since time immemorial, continues till today. Many small-scale business women do business for their living by importing clothes and other household materials. These practices are hampered due to the numerous army check points. Now there are 3 major check points on the Imphal-Moreh Road.

It has been made mandatory by the Assam Rifles to have their personnel check every vehicle passing on the Imphal-Moreh Road, the travellers have to provide valid ID cards and vehicle registration documents to travel. The civilians who are travelling have to walk 100 metres to cross the area of the check post and even the sick, pregnant women, and those dealing with a medical emergency are not spared. During the process of checking, involvement of women officers is not seen till today, even in the case of checking women.

The right to freedom of movement is violated ever since the imposition of AFSPA in Manipur. People are not free to move in their own state where they have been born. Earlier last year, the state’s Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Francis Ngajokpa was also detained by the Army posted in the Imphal-Moreh Road. If an honourable Minister of Manipur state can be prevented from travelling freely on the Imphal-Moreh Road, one cannot imagine the degree of harassment meted out to ordinary people on a daily basis.

It is also to be noted that these checks cannot be wished away given that illegal trade of redwood, teak, gemstones, drugs and arms have been in operation with many reported cases. All said and done, it is anyone's guess on the quantum of illegal trade taking place and the amount of money illegally gained, as such matters, go unreported. The biggest reported haul took place on 24 February 2013, when a team of Thoubal police commandos intercepted a consignment of drugs worth Rs. 25 crores from a convoy of vehicles led by one Lt. Colonel Ajay Chowdhury, the then Army PRO.

There is a growing rise of widows and orphans in Manipur, as husbands and fathers have been mercilessly killed by Army personnel and, unfortunately, the government has failed to curb the extreme violence of both armed State and non-State forces. In trying to make a living, widows have to come to the streets to find work so that their children do not starve. However, their lives are cut short. As they need money for survival, they are compelled to find whatever work they get.

Insurgents use them for transporting arms; smugglers use them for transporting drugs; human traffickers use them for transporting young girls to be forced into flesh trade; and they are also used as spies by both State and non State parties. These are just a few of the jobs they are forced into. Can they refuse to undertake such illegal activities? The answer is an emphatic “NO”. They need money as stated earlier but also, they will face the most drastic consequences from either or both parties, should they refuse to participate or decide to pull out.

To date, the justice delivery system has failed to deliver and “justice delayed is justice denied”. Even worse, the system seems to be turning against the people caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Though the government has brought out many policies and schemes in favour of women and children, unfortunately, in Manipur, women and children fail to enjoy these privileges and rights.

There are many untold stories in Manipur. Only stories of pain and suffering can be heard from the people surviving under Military Rule under the garb of AFSPA. Statements and slogans that “All citizens should be equally protected and their securities are to be assured” are only mythic ones. If it isn’t so, then why is the cry of the people to repeal AFSPA not being heard till today by the Government of India.

Why AFSPA in a democratic country? Is Manipur only a colony of India and that its people are to be made subservient through Military Rule as provided by AFSPA?

Concluded....