Imphal, May 28: Considering the prolonged period of suffering as a result of the armed conflict between militants and security forces, "what is wrong in the call for plebiscite to put an end to these conflicts according to the wish of the people", asked former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission, senior advocate Kh Chonjon.

Speaking as chief guest at a public meeting held today in connection with the International Week of the Involuntary Disappeared at Mela ground of Pebiya Pandit Leikai, Chonjon noted that civilians are the ones who bear the heaviest brunt in any armed conflict situation.

He observed that the anguish and pain felt by the relatives and near and dear ones of those involuntarily disappeared persons after being picked up by security personnel are part of the hardships caused by armed conflict.

Even as the Review Committee constituted by the Union Government, after a massive and prolonged civil movement against the AFSPA 1958, recommended the abolition of the draconian law, the Union Government has put the matter under the carpet, asserted Chonjon.

President of AMWJU Bijoy Kakchingtabam remarked that arrest and registration of cases against civilians for organising public meetings on plebiscite is a gross violation of the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

He added that if India truly believes in democratic principles, it should entertain the opinion of the people of Manipur.

Bijoy also observed that despite volumes of truce pact signed between the Govt of India and militant groups of North-East India, the number of UG groups are increasing all the more.

He attributed such negative development to exclusive negotiation between the Union Govt and the militant groups concerned without the participation of peoples.

To seek the opinion of the people of Manipur to resolve the armed conflict is a basic necessity, he asserted.

Even though it is known to all that security forces are behind most of the cases of involuntary disappearances, there is not a single report of security personnel punished under law.

Such patronised violation of the constitution of India stands a clear testimony that the peoples of North-East are being wilfully subjugated and intimidated, added the AMWJU president.

In his presidential speech, President of the Families of Involuntarily Disappeared's Association, Manipur (FIDAM) K Ranjit said that there are 19 cases of involuntary disappearance so far in Manipur.

He observed that an effective civil movement is needed to avoid further involuntary disappearances of innocent persons after being picked up security forces.

He disclosed that FIDAM would soon join the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) as its member.

A two minutes' silence was also observed during the meeting to pay homage to those persons disappeared involuntarily.

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