COWF reiterates `AFSPA repeal` demand during women`s meet

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IMPHAL, December 26: A Women’s Meet on the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) 1958 organized by the Conflict Widow Forum (COWF) Manipur was held today at the Manipur Press Club.

During the program, the Conflicts Widow’s Forum, Manipur, demanded that both the central and state government must repeal AFSPA 1958 from Manipur, punish all culprits who commits crime in the name of AFSPA, to form a special investigation team and to investigate cases of human rights violation in the state, to institute an International Criminal Court in India as soon as possible, to sanction socio-economic Political justice to the children and widows caused by AFSPA and to take concrete steps to engage in political dialogue on AFSPA in Manipur as soon as possible.

The function was attended by Ningthoujam Sunibala Devi convenor, COWF Thoubal district; NK Amita Devi, convenor COWF Imphal East, K Gangarani, convenor COWF, Imphal West, M Sobita secretary, WAD, Anwari Noorjahan, president United Manipur Muslim Union and Ebemcha, Co- Convenor COWF.

Speaking at the program Ebemcha, co-convenor COWF said that the implementation of AFSPA in Manipur has only led to the rise in fake encounters, rape and missing cases and torture in custody.

Further she said that the UN Human Rights Committee had passed a recommendation to repeal AFSPA which was validated by 80 countries.

“Even though a committee led by Justice Jeevan Reddy was formed to look into the Act, its findings have not been placed for discussion at the Parliament,” she said.

“Till now, the Indian Government has neglected to listen to the voice of the people to repeal AFSPA,” added Ebemcha.

Speaking at the occasion, Mangsatabam Sobita Secretary, WAD said that the militarization prevalent in the North eastern states was being done with a motive to carry out natural resources from the region.

Citing that the number of insurgency related cases, crime, rape and fake encounters has risen rapidly and the number of widow only increased day by day even after AFSPA has been implemented in the state, she added further that the Act has failed.

She further said that, the widows are finding difficulty in their day to day life and in fending for their family. 

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