Imphal, August 14: Amnesty International (AI) has decided to launch a series of campaign against the prolonged imposition of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 at different parts of India, with the first phase all set to begin from Manipur with a peace rally cum concert on August 20 here in the capital city.

Announcing this during a press conference at the office of Human Rights Alert this afternoon, campaign assistant of Amnesty International, India Ksh Onil said that Country Director KT Suresh would be arriving at Imphal on August 19 to launch the campaign and members of Amnesty International from other States of India would be coming to take part in the rally on August 20.While informing that five member countries of Amnesty International, namely United Kingdom (UK), France, New Zealand, Denmark and United States (US), have already started the campaign against AFSPA, he appealed to all the Meira paibis, students, representatives of various NGOs and Human Rights activists to take part in the rally.

He further appealed to the volunteers of Sadar Hills District Demand Committee who have announced their decision to call a 5-day total bandh with effect from August 16 to allow safe passage to the members of the Amnesty International from other States who will be coming to take part in the rally.

He also appealed to all the organisations and individual to restrain from calling bandh and blockade from August 18 to 20.Detailing on the proposed peace rally cum concert on August 20, Ksh Onil said the rally would be flagged off from THAU Ground, Thangmeiband at 9.30 am and conclude at BOAT where a public meeting would be held.

Later in the evening a peace concert would be organised at the same venue.

Entry to the concert will be free and a number of renowned singers of the State including Tapta will perform during the concert, he added.

Towards the end of the concert, a mass 'Justice Prayer' would be held with lighting of candles, he said.

After the August 20 peace rally, the message 'Repeal AFSPA' would be e-mailed 10,000 addresses as part of the cyber activism against the draconian Act which would be followed by consultative meeting to be attended by important human rights activists and eminent personalities of the country, Onil said.

Replying to a question, Onil said efforts being made by the Government of India to review AFSPA based on the recommendations of the Review Committee set up by it in the wake of public outcry against imposition of AFSPA has arrived at a critical phase.

The possibilities of incorporating all the articles and provisions of AFSPA which have found disfavour with the people in the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 should not be ruled.

Such incorporation would continue to deprive the people of their basic fundamental rights even if AFSPA had been repealed, he added.

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