Imphal, August 24: Making the slogan against the continued imposition of the Armed Forces Special, Powers Act in the State as the rallying for AMSU's Chaklam Khongchat on August 27, the student body today called upon all to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of the land so that the people of Manipur may live without fear and intimidation.

In a leaflet distributed to the press today, the student body said that under the pretext of fighting the underground movements, the Indian Government has been imposing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act for the last 30 years or so, which has done nothing except given unbridled powers to the security personnel to trample upon the dignity and rights of the people.

It was with the cry to let the people lead a free life as in any democracy that 12 women disrobed themselves in front of the Assam Rifles at Kangla on July 15 and it was again for this same demand that Pebam Chittaranjan burnt himself to death, said AMSU and pledged that the sacrifices of the women folk and the student leader will not go unrequited.

New Delhi has been trying to justify the imposition of the Act on the ground that it is needed to fight the insurgency movement, said AMSU and added that there is not an inch of land in India which is not disturbed and recalled how Parliament came under attack a few years back.

That, AFSPA has not been enforced in other States, where the law and order situation is worse, suggests that to New Delhi the lives of the Manipuri people are nothing and can be bargained.

It is such attitude which will ultimately lead to the break up of the Indian Union, said the student body and recalled the number of people killed by security personnel in custody, the rape and molestation of women and the destruction caused to the assets of the common people.

It is this policy of viewing all the people of Manipur as militants, that should be condemned by one and all, said AMSU.

Going on the offensive against the State political leaders, AMSU said that there is nothing to suggest that the j people's representatives have the interest of the people in their mind.

Their only interest is to please New Delhi, said AMSU and added that in the face of such a reality, it cannot be said that they are really the people's representatives who are ready to work for the interest of the people.

Comment