Imphal, Dec 13: A Delhi based women rights group on Wednesday said the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) should not be used as a tool to curb insurgency problem in any part of the country because the Act commits various atrocities, rebuffing it as an anti-democratic, unconstitutional and rampant violation of human rights. The Government of India should review its stand on AFSPA and reconsider the wishes of the people who are raising voice to repeal the Act, said Aruna Roy, president of National federation for Indian Women (NFIW).
Aruna came to Manipur on Wednesday to show solidarity and support to Irom Chanu Sharmila who is on fast over11 years on the demand of withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur. “We should render utmost support to Sharmila and civil societies, particularly the women NGOs and join the struggle in an all out effort to fight against AFSPA”, Aruna told a press conference here today. She also said AFSPA should not be an option to counter insurgency problem in any part of the country but the problem should be tackled by a more suitable act which does not harm the public and violate their rights.
Asked about the way in which National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (NREGS) is being implemented in the State, Aruna said the people of Manipur are not fully aware of the scheme and needed mass awareness programme on it through putting up of billboards in every corner of the State where their rights are clearly written through which they can understand their rights. “If the people know their rights that they should get from NREGS, the authorities could be prevented from wrong doing in implementing the scheme”, she further asserted.
Anni Raja, general secretary of NFIW who was also present at the press conference said, “It is easily comprehensible that more than 10 years of fasting by Sharmila as well as the nude protest staged by a group of women in front of Kangla here showed atrocities are committed by security forces under the AFSPA.”
AFSPA is a political question and it should be solved only through political means, she said.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/afspa-not-suitable-to-fight-insurgency/
