KANGPOKPI, February 4: Consultation on United Nation`s Law of Armed Conflicts and Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 has been organized today at Bethany village, Motbung.
The consultation function was jointly organized by North East Dialogue Forum, Resource Upliftment Centre for Human Interest and Bethany Village Youth Club.
U Nobokishore, convenor, NEDF while speaking at the function as resource person said that India need to withdraw the unconstitutional Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the state before adding that all communities in the state should work together and save Manipur from the outlaw act.
Since the implementation and enforcement of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the state there has been uncountable crimes and unconstitutional activities carried out by Security force upon the innocent denizens of Manipur asserted Nobokishore while adding that if this Act is not withdrawn at the earliest the future of Manipur will be very dangerous.
The resource person continued that AFSPA is a licence of India Govt. to killed innocent civilians anywhere anyplace and at anytime which is drastically against humanity. Therefore, those involved in the implementation of this draconian Act should be trial accordingly.
Sobita Mangsatabam, secretary, WAD pointed out that rape is a weapon of war as well as one of the strategies of military in the state of emergency and war before adding that AFSPA is also a hidden agenda of India Govt. to suck up all the resources of the state.
With the implementation and enforcement of this Act in the state a Tangkhul woman was raped in 1974 at Ukhrul and thus the crime continue till today in ascending order said Sobita while terming the Act as a “Unconstitutional”.
The woman resource person further maintained that Armed Forces Special Powers Act is implemented and enforce only at the state of emergency or war while adding that there is no declaration of emergency or war in the state of Manipur therefore it is not worthy to implemented this unwanted Act in the state and the India Govt. should immediately repeal or withdraw the Act.
A part from the general public the consultation was also attended by local pastor, village chiefs and various CSOs.
