IMPHAL, September 11: On the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 that promulgated the controversial and draconian Act in Manipur and Nagaland, the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights (CSCHR) has once again condemned the perpetuation of this law that violates the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights despite a worldwide call for its repeal.
According to a release of CSCHR, in this spiralling spread of impunity that has infected every sphere of governance in Manipur, the highly problematic implementation of this Act in Manipur ever since has not solved any of the problems it was meant to resolve. In fact, the climate of impunity and unabated use of brute force by the state to deal with any situation has repeatedly compounded and complicated the situation in Manipur. There have been reports of the divisive and partisan role played by Indian security forces in Manipur, most recently in Moreh Town in August this year.
It stated that the observed overall lack of training, preparedness and strict adherence to existing principles and guidelines of crowd control has resulted in the tragic death of one child in Imphal East district in August and nine other innocent lives, including one child, in Churachandpur district during this month.
The State police and Central security forces have been let loose to inflict a brutally violent response by using disproportionate powers to suppress public protests in the last three months concerning a set of laws purportedly designed to address a critical issue faced by all the indigenous peoples and communities of the State, the release said.
Curfew and public restrictions under CrPC Section 144 have been imposed repeatedly during the last three months in the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Senapati, Chandel and Churachandpur in the wake of public protests against the atrocities committed by the State law and order machinery. Public strikes, road blockades, market closures and public transportation shut downs have contributed to the volatile situation causing immense obstacles and restrictions in public life and government functioning, it lamented.
Regretting that Manipur is on the brink of an inter-ethnic calamity today, it observed that if appropriate steps are not taken now there is every possibility of an explosion of dirty and violent ethnic hostilities that can only lead to a human and humanitarian disaster of such proportions that the people have not seen before in this sub-region of South Asia.
CSCHR is very concerned that there exists in Manipur a situation of mounting polarisation of different ethnic groups within the State fuelled by perceptions of multiple threats by the different ethnic communities, the spread of rumours and disinformation, highly objectionable statements published or released by fringe groups and elements aimed to bring about communal enmity, partisan discussions and meetings, it stated.
CSCHR in the release earnestly urged the State government and all communities living together in the State to desist from partisan and divisive, non-inclusive processes and activities that can lead to a serious rupture of the democratic and sovereign polity of Manipur State.
The need at this critical hour is for all communities in Manipur to embrace constructive suggestions and inclusive dialogue as this is the only avenue we have now to avoid a humanitarian disaster, it asserted.
It also strongly recommended the State and Central government to facilitate the healing of the suffering people of Manipur by immediately embarking on just reconciliation measures of redress by removing all legislative, policy and administrative encumbrances and obstacles in the State, such as the repeal of AFSPA and repressive discriminatory laws, re-establishing a fair and compassionate Rule of Law that is strictly in compliance with India`™s obligations to all its citizens, the supreme Constitutional provisions and international human rights and humanitarian law for the promotion of democracy and peace.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/cschr-concerned-by-possible-violent-ethnic-hostilities-in-state/