PANDM decries extension of Disturbed Area status
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 14 2022:
It is against the interest of the people that Disturbed Area status has been extended in Manipur when other states in the North East are calling for repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), stated People's Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM) and maintained that the government of Manipur must effectively fight the case challenging implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state.
According to a PANDM statement issued by its IPR secretary Rosnikanta Takhelcha, people of the North East are voicing against AFSPA and demanding repeal of the draconian Act in the wake of killing of 14 innocent civilians by security forces near Oting village in Mon district of Nagaland.
Understanding sentiments of the NE people, Nagaland and Meghalaya chief ministers are mounting pressure on the Central government for repealing AFSPA.
Amidst this call by NE people and CMs of some states of the region, the government of Manipur extended the Disturbed Area status for one more year thereby allowing security forces to enjoy immunity granted by AFSPA while operating in the state, PANDM said and strongly condemned'the government's decision.
It also asked as to why the state government extended the Disturbed Area status while claiming improvement in law & order situation during its rule.
According to the PANDM statement, the same question was raised by PANDM president Yumnamcha Dilipkumar during the organisation's 12th Foundation Day celebration at its office in Uripok on Thursday.
The celebration function was also attended by UCM consultant H Ibotombi Khuman, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam, KANGLAMEI secretary Irungbam Bimola, KIL president RK Sanahanbi, IPSA president Birjit Tourangbam, IRAK president Ksh Somorendra, ACOAM-Lup president Sanjit Soraisam, CLK president Ch Pakpi Chanu and KSA president Bidyananda Sukham as presidium members.
In his speech at the event, Yumnamcha Dilipkumar said that PANDM does not take lightly the petition filed by the West Bengal-based Amra Bangali in the Supreme Court challenging implementation of ILP system in Manipur and both central and state governments must take the case seriously and face it as both the governments are respondents of the case.
While recalling the intense movement launched by the people under the leadership of JCILPS and MANPAC for implementation of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 in Manipur, Dilipkumar said that people of the state as well as organisations working on this issue will continue to shoulder all responsibilities.
He also recalled that MANPAC had voiced strongly against implementation of CAA in the North East and launched an intense movement against the Act in the North East by forming North East Forum for Indigenous People (NEFIP).
People seem to be happy that they will be able to see train service in Manipur but it would be terrible if One thinks over deeply as outsiders who come to Manipur secretly would arrive in 5-10 thousands in a trip, he said, adding that commencement of Jiribam-Agartala express train service is more terrible.
This will allow easy entry of Bengali people from Tripura to Manipur and who will stop foreigners who have become Indian citizens as per CAA, he asked, while noting that the existing ILP system in the state too remains ineffective in controlling influx and identification of outsiders.
In his speech at the event, H Ibotombi Khuman recounted emergence of CSO movement in Manipur and their role and responsibility in moulding the society.
He maintained that no demands are achievable in Manipur without public movement and CSOs should continue to launch movement without exhaustion.
During the event, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam said that the boundary fencing along Indo-Myanmar border must stop immediately and should resume only after taking consent of both the sides.
He also called for immediate halt to fencing work at disputed area.
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