Imphal, August 09 2010: Enforcement of the Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958 instead of suppressing insurgency movement in the state, it rather increase the number of insurgents, resource persons in the discussion session on "AFSPA, Indian Constitution and Indigenous Peoples in NE Region" lamented.

The discussion programme was a part of the celebration of the third foundation day of the Human Rights Initiative held at its office at Palace Compound.

The session was moderated by RK Ranendrajit, editor of the Freedom while the executive director of the body Jinine Laishramcha gave the key note address of the discussion.

Speaking as resource person of the discussion, senior advocate Khaidem Mani said that under the shadow of the AFSPA, security forces killed many innocent people.

As a result of it, many relatives of the victims including family members were forced to join underground groups out of dissatisfaction.

The resultant emergence of many underground groups led to the some of the groups diverts their ideologies from the national liberation movement only to add to the woes of the common people, he said.

Another resource person, advocate Abdul Kayum observed that AFSPA violates the right to life of the people enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Former MP, Kim Gangte, editor of Ereibak daily, Irengbam Arun and editor of Aja, Valley rose were other resource persons taking part in the discussion session.