Rich tributes paid to anti-AFSPA 'Human Torch'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2025: A silent protest rally was held in Imphal today to commemorate the 21 st death anniversary of Pebam Chittaranjan, a prominent anti-AFSPA activist known as the "human torch".

He had self-immolated on August 15, 2004, in protest against the AFSPA .

Observed as Students Martyrdom Day, 2025, under the aegis of the Manipur Students' Federation (MSF), the commemoration began with offering of floral tribute to the photo of the late activist at his birthplace at Sega Road, Takhellambam Leikai.

From Takhellambam Leikai, students accompanied by a large number of people took out a silent rally up to Imphal College, demanding the complete withdrawal of AFSPA, 1958, from Manipur.

Addressing the Students Martyrdom Day at Imphal College, All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) president Pheiroijam Nando Luwang said that Chittaranjan's sacrifice on India's Independence Day in 2004 served as a powerful message to the world about the injustices faced by Manipuris under AFSPA, 1958, which has led to the suffering of many innocent people, including women.

Saying that legislations like AFSPA are not enforced anywhere else in the world, he criticised the law for enabling the exploitation and killing of innocent people, as well as the violation of women's dignity.

He strongly condemned AFSPA, stating that it preys on the blood and lives of people.

Nando Luwang reiterated that Chittaranjan's self-immolation was a desperate protest against the atrocities committed under AFSPA.

People of Manipur want complete withdrawal of AFSPA, as the law has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear, threatening their very existence, he said.

Nando Luwang also accused the Government of India of implementing a divide and rule policy in the State.

Saying that the population of indigenous communities in Manipur is dwindling, he appealed to all stakeholders to take necessary steps to prevent the indigenous communities from facing a similar fate as the Tripuris in Tripura.

Committee on Human Rights (CoHR) chairman Konsam Phulindro, on the other hand, said that India has been treating Manipur like a colonial subject by imposing AFSPA in the State.

Saying that Chittaranjan made the supreme sacrifice to expose the brutality of 'colonial and draconian law' AFSPA, he criticized political parties for promising to repeal AFSPA during elections to gamer votes, but failing to deliver on those promises.

AFSPA threatens the right to life itself as security forces can kill people without a trial, Phulindro said and added that even the United Nations has described AFSPA as a draconian law.

MSF president Hijam Roshan said that Pebam Chittaranjan self immolated at Bishnupur Bazar on August 15, 2004 and breathed his last the next day (August 16).Saying that AFSPA is like a time bomb which can wipe out the indigenous people of Manipur, he added that drug menace is another serious issue which the State has been experiencing.

Who allows the cultivation of poppies in hill districts is known by everyone, he said and added that stopping poppy cultivation is very easy if the Government and security forces are committed.

Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president Soraisam Memcha, All Manipur Women Voluntary Association president Yumkhaibam Kunjarani and Associate Professor Yumkhaibam Shyam also attended the programme, among others.

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