IMPHAL, March 4: A famous Bollywood actor is still under trial for killing an animal in central India; however, Indian army personnel who have killed countless people in Manipur are never put under trail, thereby raising a question in our minds whether the lives of Manipuris are cheaper than that of an animal in mainland India.
This was stated by Sobita Mangsatabam, secretary of Women Action for Development (WAD), in a one- day consultation on crimes against humanity and the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 held at primary school ground in Waiton. The function was organised by Ideal Club of Waiton in collaboration with Wairi Yaikairol Club, Wairi Development Committee, Women Welfare Association, Maniyaiskul Development Committee, Maniyaiskhul Progressive Youth Club, Maniyaiskul Maira Paibi Lup and North East Dialogue Forum.
“Surrender dramas are a medium by which the Indian Army commits genocide of the people of Manipur. Any action or threat by army personnel to civilians directly or indirectly affects innocent people impinging on their fundamental rights,” she said.
Khoirom Loyalakpa, Editor of Naharolgi Thoudang, said: “When we were young, we were taught that India is the largest democratic country in the world and we celebrated by singing the national anthem. But as we grow older, the reality is different. When we merged with India, many people celebrated as an Indian but a few years later India presented AFSPA to the people of Manipur as a gift. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated during the Khalistan movement in Punjab; former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was also assassinated during the LTTE movement in Tamil Nadu; and many parts of central India are encountering the Maoist movement but the India government has never imposed AFSPA in those places.”
During the function, the executive director of Human Rights Alert Babloo Loitongbam expressed that all the armed groups must follow international humanitarian laws for the betterment of civilians and respect civilians.
As a part of the function, a rally also organised with the 100 participates.
