IMPHAL, February 25: In the name of providing jobs to the unemployed youth of Manipur instead of providing proper education, the state government has destroyed the future of many by recruiting the youths as VDF personnel.
This was stated by secretary Women Action for Development, Sobita Mangsatabam.
She said this has resulted in the increase in crimes in the state.
She was speaking at a mass rally cum public meeting during a consultation on “International Humanitarian Laws and Crimes Against Humanity” held at Ibudhou Korouhanba Sanglen Moidangpok, Imphal West.
The consultation was organised by the North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) in collaboration with Eramdoam Lamjing Meira Lup, (ELML) Moidangpok Women Society (MWS), Imphal West Meira Paibi and Imphal West Youth Clubs.
More than 500 people participated in the rally, which was flagged off by Thokchom Ghambir Singh, pradhan of Moidangpok.
The rally start from Khumbong bazaar and concluded at Ibudhou Korouhanba Sanglen Moidangpok where a public meeting was also held.
Addressing the public, Sobita added that Manipur government should introduce “Gender budget” during the ongoing state Assembly session to provide for the welfare of women and child.
Speaking at the one day consultation program, advocate L Sivananda of the Manipur High Court said that every person must understand the draconian Act Armed Forces Special Powers Act, its consequences and fight for its repeal.
There is provision that any Act should not be against the Indian Constitution, so there is a need to discuss whether AFSPA is against the Constitution, he said.
Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005) report stated that “the Act, for whatever reason, has become a symbol of oppression, an object of hate and an instrument of discrimination and high handedness.” And therefore, the committee recommended that “The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, should be repealed” he added.
Today’s, function was also attended by Wahengbam Bashanta, Human Rights activists, Guni Leima Konjengbam, president Iramdam Lamjing Leira-Lup.
During the function various testimony were given about the impact of AFSPA.