IMPHAL, Dec 10 MNS/NNN: The relay hunger strike by Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) in support of the hunger striker Irom Chanu Sharmila demanding repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur, has completed four years on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion marking completion of four years of relay hunger strike by SAKAL which was coincides with the observance of International Human Rights Day at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound in Imphal, Babloo Loitongbam, executive director, Human Rights Alert (HRA) accused the Central Government of not taking into account of the Jeevan Reddy Commission report.
The human rights activist further accused the Prime Minister, who had admitted that AFSPA was an inhuman Act and that it was better to replace it by a more humane Act, of keeping mum on the issue till date.
Babloo, who was speaking at the function as a resource person, observed that because of AFSPA rampant Human Rights contravention and atrocities are being committed by security forces in Manipur and the root cause of militancy in the state was this Act.
He recounted the remarks made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Imphal in 2004 when he stated that ‘AFSPA had become an inhuman Act and that it was better to replace it by a more humane Act.’
Soon after that, a four-member committee, which was later entitled as “Jeevan Reddy Commission” headed by retired Supreme Court Justice, Jeevan Reddy, was constituted to review AFSPA, he said and he added that the commission after completing the revision work had submitted the report to the Central Government but it has maintained silence over the report setting aside it till now.
“Such act of the Government is unfortunate and clearly indicates that it has underestimated the people of Manipur,” he alleged.
Imposition of this Draconian law enacted by Indian Parliament in the states like Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir allegedly in an inequitable manner is a sinister design of the Central Government to wipe out smaller communities, Babaloo said.
H Sanahanbi, member, SAKAL, who was giving the key note address of the function, asked why AFSPA has not yet been enforced in the Naxal-hit states of the country even though the volatile situations in such states have demanded such Act.
Supporting the cause of Irom Chanu Sharmila, SAKAL launched the rally hunger strike on December 10, 2008. The event was also attended by Y Nabachandra, president, United Committee Manipur (UCM), S Momon, convenor, SAKAL, Sinam Prakash, secretary general, North East Students’ Organisation and several leaders of various NGOs.
In a shocking revelation, 1528 people been killed in Manipur from the year 1979 to May, 2012 in encounters. Of these, 1399 were males, 31 females and 98 were children.
Observing the International Human Rights Day today at Manipur Press Club in Imphal, organised by Life Watch, Advocate Indra Kumar who is a human rights activist revealed this information.
Also speaking on the occasion, advocate Thoudam Manihar of the Gauhati High Court said many crimes occur due to the bad governance. He said that the government should maintain law and order so as to reduce the crime rate.
Thoudam Manihar then stated that the International Human Rights Day came into being after the United Nations’ meeting held at Paris on December 10, 1948.
Harping on Manipur situation, Thoudam Manihar alleged that human rights violation are committed by both the state and the central security forces. He also mentioned the case of hunger striker Irom Sharmila saying because of all these rights violations, she has been on hunger strike to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
The Gauhati High Court advocate then said the government being the guardian of the people, should understand the wishes of the public.
Noted rights activist Khaidem Mani talked about the need to raise public voice everytime the human rights violation is committed. He said media can be an important platform where the cases of human rights violation can be put up.
The 62nd international human rights day 2012 was observed today in Manipur. The Life watch Manipur observed the day at Manipur Press Club today. Kh. Mani advocate, Angomcha Araba chief administrator Life Watch Manipur, N. Binoy advocate, Th. Manihar advocate graced the occasion as chief guest, president and guests of honour.
The committee on human rights Manipur, CoHR also observed the day at Manipur Press Club.Th. Iboyaima social worker, KT Rahman president AMUCO, L. Memchoubi Devi Phunindro Konsam convenor CoHR graced the occasion as chief guest, president and guests of honour.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sharmila-kanba-lup-demands-repeal-of-afspa/
