7th death anniversary of Manorama observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 11 2011:
On the 7th death anniversary of Th Manorama which was observed Monday, president of Irabot Foundation Trust Th Iboyaima gave a clarion call to all civil society organizations in the state to strengthened themselves into a united force against Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, while also expressing his commitment that he will be the bulwark of the movement against the draconian Army law.
A floral tribute was paid at her Bamol Kampu residence in Imphal.
"I will be the bulwark in the fight for the repeal of the draconian AFSPA," said the social worker as he delivered a moving speech today, while urging civil society organizations to strengthen its force in the fight against the act.
Th Manorama was raped and then killed and her lifeless body dumped by 17 Assam Rifles on July 10 midnight 2004 in the outskirt of Imphal.
Following the uncovering of the truth, distraught mothers went on a daring and media-hogging "naked protest" in front of Kangla gate where the 17 Assam Rifles was stationed, offering their chastity to be outraged with the slogan "Assam Rifles come rape us" .
Iboyaima said in his speech at the 7th death anniversary observance event that now is the right time for all the civil society organizations to come together in one united force in the fight against AFSPA, 1985 .
The Act has become notorious globally because human rights are being violated wantonly in the garb of the martial law and national security against which even the UNO had acknowledged that the act carries an inherent basic flaw which guides the Army to torture, rape and killed women and suspect without any reproach just like it happened to Manorama, he said.
AFSPA was implemented in the state in 1942 by the colonial British which the Independent India chose to continue with in 1958 by merely effecting superficial change following an all-India consensus, he said, adding that unfortunately the country's Army chief has repeatedly rejected for it to be reviewed.
"The time has come for us to act unitedly and proactively and not depend on mere voice and words which are repeatedly being scuttled by the powers that be.
We can not anymore remain a mute spectator in our fight against AFSPA," he challenged the gathering.
He then went on to heap criticism on politicians who used AFSPA as a launching pad for their political goal at the expense of the people of the state.
"Some politicians employ and entice the people of the prospect of repeal of AFSPA as their election plank, but just as quickly forget to deliver on their promises," he said.
He also said that it was because of the conviction of some MLAs who offered to resign that AFSPA was repealed by the government from seven greater Imphal areas on a trial basis.
In the observance function today several civil society organizations paid floral tribute to the departed soul of Th Manorama Devi.
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