IMPHAL, March 4: In reaction to the Union Home Ministry`s recommendation for the rejection of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee report suggesting the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, a one- day consultation on `the Armed Forces Special Power Act, Democracy and the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee Report, 2005`™ was held at the Manipur Press Club today.
A conglomerate of 15 civil organisations based in Manipur made a series of recommendations during the consultative meeting and condemn the latest development while terming the MHA`s move as an `ignorant attitude` and jointly urging the MHA to reconsider its decision.
The consultation was jointly organised by Human Right Alert, Human Right Initiatives, UNMM, EEVFAM, CARC, REACHOUT, JPF, NEDF, PAD, PPS, SDF(Trust), LSF, VWCOC, CRAM and CDC respectively.
The joint recommendations made in the day`s consultation include the sending of letters to UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and other relevant special Rapporteurs, and to invite MPs of the Union government and the European Union to visit Manipur to give them a firsthand account of the situation. The consultation also resolved to launch a series of protest and rallies against the MHA`™s decision.
Today`s consultation was also attended by OJ Meitei , consultant of UNMM`s; K Ranjit of FIDAM; Sect. of CRAM, Y Jiten; Y Ratan of HRI, Babloo Loitongbam, the HRA executive director.
Opposing the imposition of the draconian act, Y Jiten, speaking at the consultation, lamented the unexpected and sudden rejection of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee Report by the Union Home Ministry. He added the recent decision of the Union Home Ministry was made against the wishes of the people without listening to the people`s voice which should not be done in a democratic country. He appealed to the people of the State to stay united to root out the notorious AFSPA.
It may be recalled here that the Committee, which submitted its report to the Centre in 2005, described AFSPA as a `draconian law` and `a symbol of oppression`. The committee was set up in 2004, in the wake of intense agitations in Manipur following the killing of a woman, Thangjam Manorama, while in the custody of Assam Rifles and subsequent indefinite fast undertaken by activist Irom Sharmila.
The five-member committee, headed by Justice Jeevan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, had submitted its report on June 6, 2005.
The then Defence Minister, AK Antony, as well as all the Army Chief had taken a stand against the Committee`™s recommendation for repealing AFSPA. At one point of time, the then Home Minister P Chidambaram had spoken against the tough provisions of the Act, which was shot down in the Cabinet by Antony and the then Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Both had argued in favour of the Armed Forces, stressing that no dilution of the AFSPA would be entertained at any cost.