Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 24:
Contrary to the call given by one group of the Apunba Lup not to meet the members of the Review Committee when they arrive here on December 27, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup today urged the people to meet the review members and convey the demand of the people to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act without any delay.
In a statement issued to the press today, the Apunba Lup said that the Review Committee will be here to take the opinion of the people and convey the same to the Centre as such the people, who have had to face the brutalities of the security personnel under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act should highlight their pains and trauma to the panel.
The Lup urged all the JACs formed from time to time to protest the excesses of the security personnel, family members whose kins have been killed by security personnel on trumped up charges and others to meet the Review team and clearly convey the message that the demand of the people is nothing short of the total repeal of the Act from Manipur.
The Apunba Lup also said that the defeat of the Private Member resolution to repeal AFSP A no the floor of the Assembly has unmasked the true identities of the so called political leaders of the land.
If the leaders understood the sentiments and aspirations of the people, then they should have a decision accordingly, added the statement.
The Lup said that though numerous innocent people have been killed, many maimed, many raped and many forced to disappear, no security personnel has ever been punished fittingly because of the immunity granted by the AFSPA.
A number of inquiry commissions have also been set up, but nothing has come out from the probes conducted till date.
Even today a young woman is on a fast unto death agitation demanding the repeal of the draconian Act, said the statement added that the demand for its repeal has also been voiced all across the world and India.