IMPHAL, April 1: United Revolutionary Front (URF) publicity secretary AK Pibarel has stated in a press release that the Indian government is adamant on not removing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state because of their dubious designs towards the public of Manipur.
It said that India may have a democratic system of politics, but the democracy is not enjoyed by the people of Manipur as the rights of the public are trampled under the purview of the act.
But, the Indian government can no longer remain silent in matters related to the issue as the Centre is being urged by international bodies, inclusive of the United Nations, it added.
Home minister P Chidambaram has started to acknowledge the situation and can no longer remain a mute spectator, the pressure mounted by UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Sakyaga, Christof Heyns have showed that an act like AFSPA is not in the interest of the people.
It has further mentioned that the Jeevan Reddy commission had also recommended that the act must go and the Supreme Court in 1997 had also directed for the removal of the act. Still, the directives have been ignored by the Indian government.
Still, the centre cannot ignore the UN pressure and some positive effects in the regard can be expected. Nevertheless, another draconian act in the name of National Counterterrorism Center, NCTC is instituted by the government and such an act will only torment the public and provide a free hand to the Congress led government, it said.
The public has to bear all the discriminations heaved by the Union government. The public must acknowledge that a congenial atmosphere cannot be established under the colonial rule. Apart from AFSPA, the public needs to give support to the revolutionary movement to bring about a developed and peaceful land, the release states.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram replies “Amendments to AFSPA pending?”. What a Silly response from the world largest democracy! Does decades means pending or just ignored? Justice Jeevan Reddy report has advised to repeal AFSPA during 2005 not days or few months or years back. Is the Indian Govt not even ashamed of giving such an answer like “pending” after decades? Govt are you listening, people want REPEAL not AMENDMENTS – are you still trying to fool people? AFSPA is not implemented in Maoist and Naxals areas which reports much higher violence – WHY??? Now we really doubt if India is really a democratic country?