MSF rebuts RSS's assertion on AFSPA
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 12 2013:
Reacting to the statement made by Arun Kumar, National Executive Member of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), which was published in The Times of India, Guwahati edition on December 8 last, wherein he asserted that the presence of the army is necessary for the sake of security of common people and that Manipur needs the army until militants are neutralized, Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) has strongly disagreed with the statement and termed it as 'bias' .
In a statement, the student body alleged that the statement is nothing but a manipulative and racist tactic and pointed out that the prolonged imposition of the Army Act has been at the heart of concerns about human rights violations in the region with numerous instances arbitrary killings, torture, cruelty, inhuman and degrading treatment and enforced disappearances.
''The situation in Manipur would not be solved by implementing AFSPA and being a dharma leader Arun Kumar should remember triumph of Gandhiji's non-violence.
AFSPA is a draconian Act and it has no place in any civilized society and democratic country,'' the statement stated.
It further urged all concerned to support the demand for repealing of AFSPA from the State.