Imphal, September 11, 2010: A panel discussion on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, after minute discussion has decided on complete abolition of the infamous Act rather than amending it in any form.

The panel discussion programme held at Manipur Press Club was organised by the Senior Citizens for Society.

The panelists agreed that the AFSPA is a constant threat to human rights and that it violates the right to life entitled to every citizen of the country.

Observing that the Act defies the very essence of democracy, the panelists unanimously resolved that AFSPA should be scrapped totally.

The panel discussion programme moderated by retired Justice L Robindro was attended by Senior Citizens for Society secretary Kh Mani, Advocate Md Abdul Qaiyum and executive director of Human Rights Alert Babloo Loitongbam.

Kh Mani spoke on 'AFSPA�its genesis and present status, Abdul Qaiyum on 'AFSPA�its impact on the people while Babloo spoke on 'AFSPA and Human Rights.

During the last 52 years since AFSPA was enforced, around 500 people were shot dead in Manipur every year on the average without conducting any sort of trial, Babloo said.

AFSPA and human rights can never co-exist together.

The primary duty of a Government is to ensure security of the people but the Government of Manipur has been running after contract works.

Even though a debate has been generated on AFSPA at the international stage forcing the Government of India to take cognizance of the issue, the State Government has no time to ponder over the Act or think about Irom Sharmila, he remarked.

The State Governments of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland have adopted resolutions for repealing the infamous Act but the Govt of Manipur has been steadfastly standing for the Act notwithstanding the sustained struggle of the people to repeal the Act.

Observing that Irom Sharmilas struggle against the struggle is unprecedented and unsurpassed, Babloo said that the arguments put forward by insurgent organisations would become true in case Sharmila dies without achieving her goal.

The arguments that the Government of India sees the people of Manipur with communal eyes and that Manipur should remain independent of India will find all the credibility, Babloo said.

The inaugural function of the panel discussion programme was attended by Senior Citizens for Society leaders N Binoy, L Lalit, RV Mingthing, Dr M Nara, L Sadananda and retired Justice Laishram Robindro as presidium members.

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