Imphal, January 11 2009: REPEAL OF AFSPA from the state is not in the hands of the government as government is formed by the elected representatives of the people, and its term is only for five years, said the Deputy Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Th Shyamkumar today.

He was speaking at the one-day convention organized by Threatened Indigenous People's Society (TIPS) on the concluding day of the photo exhibition "Mamigi Khonjel".

The convention was held on the theme "Right to Life".

"If born, it is natural to die, but men, who are born like animals, break the natural law and kill men," he said.

Imposition of AFSPA and repealing it lies in the hands of the people, he said while observing that government is form by the elected representatives of the people.

"It will not be true to blame only to the people's representatives for not repealing the Act," he added.

If the policy and governance of the government is not wanted, then people can justify it, he went on to say.

Chief of the Andro village Aseibam Deva, president of the Meira Association, Bashikhong, Ningombam Ajit, TIPS president Aslam Khan, human rights activist, Joykumar Wahengbam, Chief Editor of Kangla Pao, P Ibochouba and advocate Angomcha Araba were the dignitaries who attended the convention.

General secretary TIPS Asemcha Tondon while speaking on the objective of the photo exhibition said it had been performed to aware the people how present situation in the state comes up and the role that people have to take to deal with the prevailing situation. He also appealed the people to observe what the photos tell and act accordingly.

In the convention, human rights activist Joykumar Wahengbam talked on the human rights situation in Manipur and Ibouchou, Chief Editor of Kangla Pao on the role of media in the present situation of Manipur.

Majority of the speakers echoed bitter voices at the government of India for making what Manipur is today.

The human rights activists, advocates and other actvists blamed the government for turning Manipur into a killing field.

Speakers of the programme said that leaders of India propagated about the country as largest democracy and human rights champion but in the nutshell, gross human rights violations have been committed in Manipur ever since the state was merged with the Union of india.

Speaking on the occasion advocate Angomcha Araba noted that draconian acts such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) should not exist in a country that claims to be the champion of human rights or democracy.

The advocate expressed his fear that the identity of the people in Manipur may no longer exist in the near future should the people fail to remain alert.

Human rights activist Wahengbam Joykumar lamented that in spite of the numerous legislations of covenants and declarations by the United Nations Organisation (UNO) in order to uplift the dignity of mankind and to protect human rights, India often ignores them although the country claims to be the largest democracy in the world.

Joykumar pointed out that leaders of India propagate outside the country that India is a champion of human rights but 'here in Manipur the condition of human rights is grim'.

Chief editor of an Imphal based evening newspaper Kangla Pao, Mr P Ibochouba rued that in Manipur the media cannot exercise its profession freely as its wings have been clipped by various elements and factors.

The senior journalist urged the concerns to leave media alone so as to bring transparency and justice in our state.

Vice president of Association for Independent Minds (AIMS) Bimola urged the people of Manipur not to take too much interest in politics.

She said that politics is one root cause for all ailments in Manipur saying that politicians just forget and ignore the plights of people once they are elected.

The AIMS vice president stated that in the rest of India people are living peacefully without any fear psychosis but here in Manipur the people are gripped with traumas and bad experiences due to violence.

TIPS has organised today's convention as part of the series of photo exhibitions in various parts of Manipur.

The photos displayed at Andro Community Hall premises displayed unpalatable scenes of terror that struck in the state.

Photos of mutilated bodies, victims of security force and militant brutality, etc, etc were the main features of the exhibition.

The general public of Andro responded well to the call of TIPS for the occasion.

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