Inclusion of AFSPA demand in poll manifestoes pressed
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, February 03 2014: A critical political convention on AFSPA held here on Monday decided to include the 'demand for repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur as 'the key point of manifestoes of all political parties contesting the coming 16th Lok Sabha polls 2014 in the state.

Participated by representatives of all political outfits excluding the ruling Congress party, the convention also resolved to press their units in the state to drum into their Central leaders to further include the demand for the revocation of AFSPA in their parties' election manifestoes.

It also took resolution on drawing a roadmap to move on the floor of the Parliament by all MPs to repeal AFSPA cutting across party lines.

Inclusion of AFSPA demand in poll manifestoes pressed

The formal gathering, moderated by Prof Sadananda, secretary, Senior Citizens for Society, further decided to declare those political outfits as anti-people parties and to boycott them during the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls if they fail to stick to the above three key resolutions and implement them.

Ksh Anandi, managing trustee of Just Peace Foundation (JPF) and H Ibotombi Khuman, convenor, Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) shared the dais at the meeting.

CPI Manipur state council's secretary, Dr M Nara, state JD (U) president, M Tombi, state CPI (M) secretary, Sharat Salam, and other delegates from various political parties spoke during the gathering.

Speaking during the convention, Retired Lt Col L Lokendra said that the people of Manipur should elect those candidates as MPs who can raise their voices against AFSPA in the Parliament.

The national leaders often overlook the issues of Northeast because of less number of MPs.

Irom Chanu Sharmila's struggle against the AFSPA for more than 10 years has been neglected by both the Centre and State Government.

Secretary of CPI Manipur State Council Dr M Nara said that the CPI has been raising the issue of AFSPA at the national level time and again, and it would continue to do so until the draconian law is fully repealed from the State.

President of JD(U) Manipur State M Tombi said that there have been gross violation of human rights in the State mainly under the shadow of AFSPA.

The Act has been imposed discriminately only to Northeast and J&K .

The leaders of other political parties also pledged to fight against AFSPA and urge the national leaders to repeal such draconian law from the State at the earliest.