AFSPA, International humanitarian laws studied
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 11 2014: A consultation programme on International Humanitarian Law and Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 was held today at Purum Tampak, Chandel district of Manipur.

Santibala Elangbam, Secretary, Nupi Lup Yangdong; Hmangte Kumar, president Litan Village; PB Vincent, Assistant Head Master of Purum Tampak High School and Y.Romeo Chothe, Advisor North East Dialogue Forum attended the programme as presidium members.

.WBasantakumar, Advoate and Adam Kharam of North East Dialogue Forum attended the event as resource persons.

Speaking as a resource person, W.Basantakumar stated that common article 3 of Geneva Conventions, 1949 which prohibited violence to life and person, in particular, murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture; taking of hostages; outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment and the passing of sentences and carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples shall become applicable in any situation of armed conflict.

The various military operations carried out under certain code names in Manipur such as Operation Blue Bird (1987) Operation Sunny Vale (1993), Operation Loktak (1999), Operation Stinger (2005), Operation Tornado (2005), Operation Dragnet (2006), Operation Khengjoi or Somtal-I (2006), Operation Somtal-II (2007), and Operation Summer Storm (2009) are clear indication of existence of de facto armed conflict in Manipur which government of India so far denies, he said.

Recalling the Heirangoithong Massacre (1984), Tera Bazar Massacre (1993), RMC Massacre (1995), Malom Massacre (2000), Oinam Massacre (1980), Ukhrul Massacres (1995), Bashikhong Massacre (1995), Churachandpur Massacres (1999), Nungleiban Massacre (1997), Tabokpikhong Massacre (1997), and the Tonsen Lamkhai Massacres (1999) etc, Basantakumar said that such genocidal acts are committed under the draconian AFSPA, 1958 in clear violation of International Humanitarian Law.

He called upon the people to be united in the struggle to repeal AFSPA from the soil of India.

Adam Kharam said that the people in the North Eastern states and Manipur in particular have been experiencing the violent armed conflict for the last more than 50 years.

People experience the kind of human rights violations both from Indian Union and Manipur state security forces and armed non-state actors.

Extrajudicial executions meaning killing of innocent civilians and armed cadres after apprehending them are serious human rights violations committed by the Indian State.

Besides, many women were raped, raped and murdered, molested and killed by the Government's security forces.

He cited the bomb blast incidents at Lilong on 16th November, 2013 where 1 person was seriously injured, Pallel Lamkhai on 7th November, 2013 where 1 laborer was killed and 6 others were injured, Yaiskul on 30th October, 2013 where 2 persons were killed and 7 others were seriously injured and Nagamapal on 12th September, 2013 where 9 migrant laborers were killed and 11 others were injured.

Police has claimed that these are all the handiworks of armed non-state actors said Mr.Adam.

On the other hand, on March 24, 2008, three persons including a girl were killed and another girl left blind during indiscriminate firing by non-state armed cadres while a Thabal Chongba was in progress at Heirok Part I public ground.

He appealed to the government of India to recognize the existence of armed conflict in Manipur and implement the International Humanitarian Law besides constituting the Special Investigation Team to investigate into the all cases of killing, torture, rape and other forms of human rights violations committed by Indian security forces.

At the same time he also appealed to the armed opposition groups to respect and implement the International Humanitarian Law.

At the end, he cautioned on the UN constituted Special International Tribunal if the situation worsens and International Humanitarian Law continues to be violated by the parties to the conflict in Manipur.

The consultation programme recommended to urge both State and non-State actors to respect and implement the common article 3 of Geneva Conventions, 1949 and Additional Protocol-II of 1977 .

Another recommendation was to urge the Government to establish Special Investigation Team to investigate into all cases of rape, torture and killing of innocent civilians, women and children and deliver justice to the victims and compensate them.

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