IMPHAL , January 14: “To be anti-India or pro- India is not the issue. It is time for us to be pro-Manipur, AFSPA is not doing anything good for Manipur, let us fight it”, Professor Bimol Akoijam of JNU exclaimed at a one day Political Convention on AFSPA held at Hotel Classic today.
In keeping with the code of conduct, the IFP is not reporting statements by the representatives of the political parties.
Another one day consultation workshop on the theme “Your Vote is Your Future was today held at hotel Kristina organised by the United NGOs Mission-DN-Imphal east Network (UNM-DN-I/E Network).
During the workshop chairman of the (UNM-DN-I/E Network) Themthing Ruvanaro, and consultants (UNM-DN-I/E Network) OJ Meitei were on the dyes as moderator and spokesperson.
During the workshop spokesperson of varous civil society organisations deliberated on the developments in the state and urged all to keep the welfare of the future generation in mind.
The workshop was participated by prominent persons including civil organization, political party workers, social workers, and various NGOs etc.
Continuing on his key note address, Akoijam dwelled on the problems of the act; stating that India is the only democratic country which uses military might on a regular basis as part ofstate administration. “Using the army as part of administration is unacceptable, army is used during times of war”, he said. Further, the oldest democracy, the United Statesdo not endorse it. All otherpreventive laws; TADA, MOCOCA, POTA, does not bring the military in the civil authority and AFSPA cannot be implemented as an excuse for law and order.
He further stated that the constituent assembly of India discussed and expressed serious concerns about the extent and impacts of using military in the internal affairs of the country. Citing points on the Supreme Court of India judgment on AFSPA, he said that it must be examined carefully to raise the right questions.
He mentioned that the Supreme Court examined only the constitutionality of the Act ,whether or not the Parliament has the authority to legislate such an Act. The SC judgment while upholding the constitutionality of the Act pressed on temporary use of military and which is required to be reviewed every six months.He questioned then, why in Manipur the Act has been used as part of civil administration over the last 40 years.
He pointed out that the SC judgment that the ‘disturbed condition’ which allows the army to operate with legal impunity is not related with ‘armed rebellion’. Bimol questioned why AFSPA is being implemented here when there is no armed rebellion.
Section 3 in AFSPA empowers the Governor or Central Government to declare a part or the whole state as a ‘disturbed area’ and that, all extraordinary laws passed by the Government of India has clear definitions.
“If one asks what is the definition of a disturbed area, then the simple answer the SC gives is that Government of India and its people defines disturbed areas”. Bimol stated that this is a clear case of the Central Government refusing to accept and not recognize the fact that thestate has political issues with the Union of India. “Decision of taking a life is taken by a man with a gun, this is simply not acceptable”, he said.
The professor mentioned the need for the public to introspect into the woes that the Manipuri society is facing today and that, the public also is responsible for its own predicament. He appealed that every individual needs to exercise his or her democratic rights and to choose the right candidate in the upcoming election.
The convention was also attended by delegates from all political parties including the BJP, MPP, Trinamool Congress, NCP, CPI, RJD, JD(S), CPI (M), MSCP of the state except for the INC.
The delegates also voiced firm opposition against the draconian Act and gave assurances that the party manifestos will endorse the scrapping of the AFSPA.