Northeast

Remove 'Disturbed Area' status from Manipur: MHRC tells government

The Manipur Human Rights Commission had directed the chief secretary, the DGP and the special secretary (Home) to submit action taken report on the recommendation to remove 'disturbed area' status from Manipur within three months.

ByB Rakesh Sharma

Updated 18 Aug 2021, 2:20 pm

Imphal, Manipur (Photo: IFP)
Imphal, Manipur (Photo: IFP)

 

Repealing of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 from Manipur will be a great initiative to bring a political settlement of the insurgent issues in the state by the government, said acting chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Khaidem Mani. 

Speaking to the media on Tuesday at the office of MHRC in Imphal, Mani said that the commission had recommended the state government to withdraw the "disturbed area" status completely from Manipur, citing various grounds which support that AFSPA violates certain human rights.

The recommendation was given in connection with a public interest complaint filed by one Th Suresh of Forensic Study and Placement for recommending the lifting of AFSPA by way of revocation of "disturbed area" status from the state, he said.

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The MHRC took up the case considering the movement of the public against the AFSPA, such as the nude protest by women folks in front of the Kangla western gate, the hunger strike taken up by Irom Sharmila, protest in the wake of rape and brutal murder of Manorama, self-immolation of Pebam Chitaranjan and various protest against AFSPA by human rights groups, activists and CSOs, added Mani. 

Terming AFSPA a "draconian and a outdated" law, the acting chairperson said, "It is an act to politically oppress the people of Manipur. Such act does not suit in a democratic country."

As chief minister had stated in his Independence Day speech that the law and order situation of the state has significantly improved, "there is no need to further implement AFSPA in the state. On the other hand maintaining law and order is a state subject," he said.

On the recommendations, the commission had directed the chief secretary, the DGP and the special secretary (Home) to submit action taken report within three months, he added.  

Mani also informed that today itself the commission will be submitting its Annual Report 2020-21 with certain recommendations in connection with the human rights to the state government.

The recommendation includes: separation of investigation from law and order; introduction of human rights education; combating corruption and human rights; good governance and human rights, among others, he added. 

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He said once the state government tabled the recommendations on the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, the Annual Report will be published to the public through the media. 

Pointing out that Assembly elections have become a "corruption mela" in the state which comes under violation of human rights, he stated that the commission will be tying up with the office of Chief Election Commissioner, Manipur and take up necessary steps to ensure free and fair election in Manipur. 

He also pointed out that the commission had received numerous complaint regarding the unavaibility of fertilizers from the farmers which is contradictory to the government's statement.

Such issue arises due to the failure in political system of the state, he said, adding that such can be prevented if the public stop the habit of exchanging their precious voting rights with money.

 

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Tags:

MHRCManipur Human Rights CommissionKhaidem Manidisturbed areaAFSPA

B Rakesh Sharma

B Rakesh Sharma

Staff Reporter, Imphal

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