Public meet questions disturbed area status
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 07 2014 : Asking what exactly is the meaning of disturbed area status, a public discussion programme held today at Heinoubok Awang Leikai on International Humanitarian Laws and AFSPA 1958 questioned on what parameters the North East region is declared as disturbed area.

The public discussion programme was jointly organised Heinoubok Awang Women Welfare Association, Association for Village Education, Leimaram Farmers' Club, North East Dialogue Forum, Association of Rural Development and Women Empowerment, Irengbam Nupi Khunai Lup, Leimaram Development Association, Leimaram Waroiching Nupi Meira Paibi Lup and Shanti Bazar Nupi Lup.

North East Dialogue Forum convenor U Nobokishore decried that Govt of India has been imposing AFSPA in North East and Jammu & Kashmir after declaring these regions as disturbed area on a very flimsy ground.

Nowhere is 'disturbed area' defined.

Without defining what exactly is disturbed area, GoI has been imposing AFSPA thereby committing gross human rights violation.

Before declaring any region as disturbed area, the Government should first define 'disturbed area' and explain why the particular regions have been declared as disturbed areas, Nobokishore demanded.

A man or woman may not have experienced any sort of harassment or torture at the hands of security forces till date, but nobody can guarantee when and where they would be subjected to such horrifying experiences as long as AFSPA is there.

A woman can be made a rape victim anywhere, any time.

The only jusitifiable ground for imposing AFSPA is declaration of state of emergency.

Geneva Convention Common Article III and Optional Protocol II should be adhered to in all areas where AFSPA is in force, Nobokishore demanded.

He also demanded establishment of international war tribunal in Manipur.

Even though the Government of India has been implementing many welfare programmes like polio immunization, SSA, mid-day meal etc, their military forces have been killing people of Manipur at their sweet under the impunity guaranteed by AFSPA, asserted Dr Dhanabir Laishram.

Saying that many drug seizures have been hushed up, WAD secretary S Sobita said that a new practice of letting off culprits scotfree has emerged in the society.

The programme culminated with presentation of testimonies by three victims of AFSPA.

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