Imphal, December 08: The two day convention to discuss the Armed forces Special Powers Act 1958 began here today at the Gandhi Memorial hall.

Prof M Horam who presided over the morning function said militarisation is not a solution to the crisis in the north eastern part of India.

He further said the problems should be addressed politically.

The AFSPA has caused more problems and people are alienated by such an act be said.

Gautam Navlekha who presided in the afternoon session said there can be no humane AFSPA.

It should be immediately repealed he said.

The government does not listen to the protests done democratically as in the case of Irom Sharmila who undertook a fast unto death to demand repeal of the AFSPA four years ago.

People are forced to take up arms he said.

Over 15 organisations from other parts of the country are converging here in Imphal to take part in the convention.

Large numbers of people attended the convention, Gautam said we should not compromise on the issue.

Such a draconian law should not be imposed in Manipur or any other parts of the country he said.

It is a martial law and under such a draconian act there can be no human rights he said.

It is even dangerous than military occupation he further observed.

The government doles out economic package after a spurt of crisis he said.

It is a wastage of money and time for the people.

The nation's wealth has been misused by resorting to military tactics he said.

Our infrastructure and money are wrongly used.

It is a political economic wastage.

Rao said peace is not possible without justice.

Yambem Laba spoke about the various facets of the acts.

He said it took 85 years for British Empire to impose the Armed Forces Special Powers Ordinance 1942 to fight the Quit India movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and it took just eight years for the Republic of India to impose a more draconian law.

The Indian Republic made the British law more draconian he-said.

Raja Rao of APCLC said the people of the region are not nappy with the administration and injustice meted out to them.

At Andhra Pradesh the tricolour is found everywhere but it is not so in the north east he said.

We have to rethink why it is so.

People from other parts of the country did not know much about the atrocities in the region but after the Manorama incident and the real situation came into light he further said.

Nandini of the PUCL said the protests by the mothers of Manipur in front of the Kangla inspired all to actively participate in the protest.

Life has been made spendable in this region she lamented.

N Shantikumar said sweeping powers are given to the military under this act.

It is unthinkable that murder of people on mere suspicion is allowed under this act and the people of the region can not even go to court without getting approval from the central government.

The AFSPA has been sucking the blood of the people he said.

After the imposition of the act we have seen outbreak of insurgency and numbers of insurgents groups have also increased.

People are alienated.

Unbriddled powers are given to the military he further observed.

Large numbers of women, scholars, intellectuals also spoke during the seminar.

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