Imphal, January 11 2009: Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA-1958) can be repealed anytime when the people of the State want.

But it is the situation of Manipur that has let the Act to continue in the State.

This was stated by Deputy Speaker Th Shyamkumar in the one-day convention on 'Right to Life' cum closing function of the photo exhibition that kicked off on January 9 at Andro Bazar today.

The convention cum photo exhibition was organised by Threatened Indigenous People's Society (TIPS).

Shyamkumar said that it would be wrong to blame only the elected representatives for the continued imposition of AFSPA in the State.

No political leader can stand against the wishes of the public if the situation is fit to repeal the draconian Act, Shyamkumar added.

On the current situation of the State, Shyamkumar said that elected MLAs are not able to work freely for the people due to interferences from different underground groups.

Even the distribution of essential commodities like rice and kerosene through public distribution system is hampered due to demand of shares from different UG groups, he added.

Shyamkumar conveyed that UGs constantly threaten him that his political workers would be eliminated if their demands are not given.

In such a situation, the Government would not be in a position to repeal AFSPA, the Deputy Speaker said.

Andro village headman Asheibam Deva Meitei, MEIRA Association president Ningombam Ojit, TIPS president Aslam Khan, United People's Front (UPF) president Seram Neken and All Andro Youth Clubs Association president Aheibam Rajen were also the members of the dais in the function.

Kangla Pao Chief Editor Pukhrambam Ibochouba, Advocate Angomcha Araba and Association of Independent Mind (AIM) representative Bimola Laishram were in the panel of talkers in the convention.

Speaking on the role of media in the present situation of the State, Pukhrambam Ibochouba expressed dissatisfaction over the curbing of media's freedom of expression by various pressure groups.

He said that media in the State is not able to perform its normal duties due to threats from various organisations.

It is the most unfortunate thing in a democratic country, he added.

Expressing concern over the killings happening in the State, Ibochouba also accused the State Government for being remained silent which according to him is the sheer violation of human rights.

The TIPS photo exhibition is the proof of Human Rights violations happening in the State, Ibochouba said and added that people would raise against all these atrocities when the exhibition reaches the nook and corner of the State.

Advocate Angomcha Araba said that threat to extinction of indigenous people and its traditions are increased with the coming of global ideas like 'trans national highways'.

Professions and business for indigenous people may be snatched away by people from other countries or States with the coming such highways.

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