110 civilians massacred enmasse in 12 different cases
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 09 2014: In 12 different cases of massacres, 110 civilians have been killed by military personnel under the impunity guaranteed by Armed Forces Special Powers Act, stated North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) co-ordinator Adam Rangla.

Speaking at a public meeting held at Lilong Chajing, Lai community hall, Imphal West district on the topic "International Humanitarian Law and Armed Conflict in the Context of Manipur", Adam Rangla recalled that the military massacred a total of 110 civilians in the Heirangoithong Massacre of 1984, Oinam Massacre of 1980, Tera Bazar Massacre of 1993, RMC Massacre of 1995, Ukhrul and Bashikhong Massacres of 1995, Nungleiband Massacre of 1997, Tabokpikhong Massacre of 1997, Churachandpur Massacre of 1999, Tonsen Lamkhai Massacre of 1999 and Malom Massacre of 2000 .

Such massacres testify that the Government of Indian has been committing genocide in Manipur, he said.

Even as GoI has been committing war crimes in Manipur, no international humanitarian law applicable in armed conflict zones is followed in the State.

At the same time, rights guaranteed to civilians under Common Article III of Geneva convention are subjected to rampant violation, Adam asserted.

GoI has been adamantly refusing to repeal AFSPA on the ground that its military cannot operate in armed conflict zone without the infamous Act.

But again, no international humanitarian laws are followed in the State even though there is an armed conflict for the past many decades.

But when people urged to enforce Geneva Convention's Additional Protocol II, ratify International Criminal Code and allow ICRC to operate in the armed conflict zone, GoI maintained there is no armed conflict within India but just internal law and order problem.

Such double-dealing tactics of GoI demands a collective struggle, Adam stated.

Advocate Shivananda said that many people are living under stress and trauma on account of prolonged imposition of AFSPA in the North Eastern region.

Even as military personnel have been committing all kinds of extrajudicial activities like rape, murder, arbitrary detention, they cannot be dragged to any civil without permission of GoI.

Senior journalist Irengbam Arun said that leaders and political parties of India are of the same opinion when it comes to imposition of AFSPA in North East because people of the region are quite removed from mainland Indians in terms of race, physical appearance, food habit, culture and social practices.

Indian leaders are still unable to accept people from North East region as fellow Indian citizens.

Noting that AFSPA was repealed from seven Assembly segments located within Imphal Municipal area, Arun said that this was open discrimination among the people of Manipur.

He went on to question whether people living outside Imphal Municipal area are not humans.

Since ancient period Manipur has its own war/combat rules called Chainarol.

It clearly laid down that enemies should be treated with due respect and this is the very essence of all international humanitarian laws, Arun asserted.

Naharolgi Thoudang Editor Khoirom Loyalakpa stated that GoI only exposed its racism by confining AFSPA to North East region only while keeping all other regions including Maoist affected areas away from the draconian Act.

AMUCO vice-president W Bobindro and All Lilong Clubs' Organisation president Sanasam Madhumangol were also present at the public meeting organised by the All Lilong Clubs Organisation, NEDF.

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