Imphal, August 18 NNN: Saying that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been enforced in Manipur since the Centre includes the state in the disturbed area list and the people need to maintain “peace and tranquility” to facilitate the repeal of this military act from the state, stressed Lok Sabha MP from Manipur Dr T Meinya on Saturday.
Meinya was addressing a gathering on the ocassion of the “54th Anniversary of the Indian Parliament Passing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958″ held at Imphal Hotel .
A serious discussion on all aspects of democracy is required to step up on the demand for revocation of AFSPA from Manipur, the MP suggested and said democracy involves numerous procedures.
Meinya who took part at the observation also released a book entitled “Extra Judicial Executions in Manipur.” He acknowledged the fact that the history of Manipur has a character of losing the track of records and lauded the contents of the book and hailed it as a good work of collection which can be used as a good account.
The Inner Manipur MP said AFSPA has been imposed in the state owing to its disturbed area status and made appeal to all to maintain peace and tranquility to facilitate the repeal of the Act.
At the event, jointly organised by Just Peace Foundation and Civil Society for Human Rights in Manipur And the UN, advocate Khaidem Mani also made speech during a panel discussion held as part of the observation. He alleged that India has a attitude of wanting to subjugate the Northeast.
Mani expressed unhappiness over the alleged colonial democracy practicing in Manipur and said all forms of democratic movements in the state have been shut by the Government even as silent rally is targeted by police resorting to baton charge.
A sense of alienation will spring up among the general public if the military, an organisation meant for war, is used in civilian areas, Mani had his opinion. He insisted that if India ever thinks it wants to exclude Manipur from being a state with a colonial law, AFSPA should be scraped completely from here, even from the country’s Constitution.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/54th-anniversary-of-passing-afspa/
