IMPHAL, Aug 4: Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya has demanded the Centre to repeal AFSPA, 1958. Speaking at the Lok Sabha today, the MP said that Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on fast since November 2000 as a mark of protest against AFSPA, has announced her decision to end her fast on August 9 to contest election in the upcoming State Assembly election.
For the last 16 years, the Iron Lady of Manipur has been living under ‘house arrest’ as an undertrial prisoner in the special ward of JNIMS, Imphal, Meinya said.
She has been force-fed through her nose all these years, he said and added that he is happy to hear that Sharmila has decided to lead a normal life.
The recent SC verdict which stated that the Army and police are not free to use excess force under AFSPA is something long overdue, Dr Meinya said.
He said, “Time has come for the AFSPA to go. Hence, I strongly urge the Union Government to immediately repeal this infamous law AFSPA 1958.”
On the other hand, Dr Meinya also requested HRD Minister Prakash Javdekar to give appointment to the representatives of AIFUCTO.
He said that All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organization (AIFUCTO) will stage a strike at Jantar Mantar. Thousands of teachers, librarians, Directors of Physical Education, other academic staff and administrative staff from all the States of the country would assemble at Jantar Mantar to participate in a massive demonstration.
AIFUCTO would submit a memorandum highlighting various demands to the HRD Minister. The demands include early 7th Pay revision, roll back of 4th amendment of UGC regulations, scrapping of API for career advancement, dropping additional requirements in pre-2009 PhD regulations for exemption from PhD and consultation on the New Education Policy.
