Imphal, March 19: A private member resolution put up by former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam and two other Opposition MLAs to adopt a resolution to withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 and to send the resolution to the Union Government was defeated by voice vote in the State Assembly today.

The private member resolution was put up by ex-Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam, MLA RK Anand and MLA Dr I Ibohalbi.

Moving the private member resolution, Radhabinod Koijam contended that the prolonged imposition of AFSPA is unable to contain insurgency, rather the Army Act has been breeding numerous insurgent groups.

The controversial Act which has been enforced in the State for more than 47 years is despised by the people.

Till date, the Union Government has not sanctioned permission even once to prosecute any security personnel accused of wrong-doings and violting human rights under the immunity guaranteed by AFSPA, observed Radhabinod.

No security personnel posted in the State ever complied with the directives issued by the Supreme Court, he asserted.

Noting that the Act is very much discriminatory in its content and spirit, the former Chief Minister rued that there are around 23/24 UG groups in the State as against only one UG group in the State in 1960.The mushrooming of UG groups is a clear testimony that the army Act has failed to serve its purpose, he remarked.

Quoting the recommendations of Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee, the former Chief Minister corroborated his stand against the controversial Act by referring to the cases of Thangjam Manorama, Malom massacre and the most recent case of rape allegations at Kotlien.

Observing that withdrawal of AFSPA from the seven Assembly segments of Imphal Municipal area is not the wish of the people, he proposed that a resolution be adopted to repeal the Act from the whole State, even if it is for a short period and to send the resolution to the Union Government for favourable action.

He further observed that the Act is not imposed in other Indian States where there is serious threat of Naxalite movement.

In addition to the numerous cases of rape, the Act has become an instrument for rampant violation of human rights, asserted Radhabinod while quoting the recent recommendation of the UN to repeal the Act.

Supporting the private member resolution, MLA I Ibohalbi questioned as to why AFSPA is still imposed in the State when POTA was repealed from Tamil Nadu.

Citing detention of a number of people including women and children who came for Thabal Chongba by security personnel during Yaoshang festival at Toubul under Bishnupur district, Ibohalbi remarked that the Act has become a symbol of oppression.

Informing that the detainees were freed only after he went to the village and persuaded the security personnel, he disclosed that one alleged UG cadre nabbed by security personnel from the village was reported in the media on the next day that he was killed in encounter. He also echoed desire to repeal the Act from Manipur even for a short time.

Recalling that the Act was first introduced by the British rulers during the colonial period, he contended that AFSPA is a colonial law.

Sharing his observation on the private member resolution, MPP MLA O Joy ridiculed the stand of the Union Government to abolish POTA on the ground that it lacks 'humane face' while AFSPA has been enforced in the State for the 40 years even as the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee has accepted the Act as discriminatory.

Supporting the private member resolution, Independent MLA Morung Makunga asked whether Manipur is under military rule.

Alleging that security forces conduct raids at any time, any place including homes of MLAs and Ministers, he construed that Manipuris are being treated as second class citizens of India.

Responding to the arguments in favour of the private member resolution, the Chief Minister argued that the move was too hasty.

He contended that the Act would go away on its own once normalcy returns in the State.

He also appealed to the three opposition MLAs to withdraw the matter.

Indirectly referring to the existing situation in Manipur and inadequacy of State forces, the Chief Minister highlighted the practical difficulties in adopting a resolution towards withdrawal of AFSPA from the State.

He maintained that the ruling party has no objection in repealing the Act provided the situation is conducive.

Disclosing that the Prime Minister specifically instructed him not to repeal the Act when the Act was lifted from Imphal Municipal area, Ibobi claimed that he would work relentlessly to repeal the Act from the whole State.

Citing the case of Mizoram, Ibobi asserted that the Act would be automatically rendered irrelevant when there is peace in Manipur.

Following refusal of the opposition MLAs to withdraw the private member resolution, the Speaker decided the matter by voice vote during which it got defeated.

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