IMPHAL, March 6: A press conference, organised by conflict widows’ forum, self support group, survival action for human rights, Manipur and north east dialogue forum, on Armed Forces (special power) Act and its impact on women and children in Manipur was held at the Youth Hostel in Khuman Lampak.
Speaking as a resource person, advocate of the Manipur High Court L Sivananda said that every person must understand the draconian act called AFSPA, its consequences and fight for its repeal before adding that the Indian Constitution has stated that any act should not be against the Constitution so it’s needed to discuss whether AFSPA is against the constitution. During the function, various testimonies were given about the impact of AFSPA. Mutum Bimola, a widow, in her testimony said that on 18 June 2008, her husband went for work but never returned home. On June 29, newspapers carry a report about her husband being killed by a team of police commandos in Moirang. Her husband received 11 bullet wounds and his white color t-shirt had turned into red. After his dead, she was traumatised and mentally affected; and now, she doesn’t want to lose his son again and if that happens she will die.