Imphal, Jul 11: Drawn to the struggle of the state's human rights activists against the excesses of the security force personnel under the immunity provided by provisions of Armed Forces Special powers' Act 1958, the Amnesty International (AI) has urged the Government of India to repeal the repressive law.

The international human rights body highlighted its strong stand against the prolonged imposition of the draconian Act coinciding with the second death anniversary of Thangjam Manorama Devi.

The then 32 year old woman was found killed on this day two years ago after she was arrested from her Bamon Kampu residence the previous night.

"Exactly two years ago, Manorama Devi of India's north eastern state of Manipur was sexually assaulted and extra-judicially executed, allegedly by soldiers of Assam Rifles", said a public statement of the rights organisation, a copy of which was handed out to the press by Human Rights Alert today.

The AI also noted widespread demonstration in the State against the AFSPA and its effects in the aftermath of the girl's slaying besides making it clear to the Union Government the atrocities endured by the Manipur people due to continued imposition of AFSPA and related breaches of international standards.

AI is seriously concerned that, two years after the widespread protests against India's AFSPA, the government is yet to repeal this controversial act, maintained the statement.

Members of AI group I and II (Manipur) also handed a copy of the statement to the bereaved family members.

The 48 year old AFSPA, which grants special powers to security forces, has long been in force in a number of areas affected by armed insurgencies, including the north-eastern states of Manipur, Assam and Nagaland.

Following relentless protest in Manipur, the Central government instituted a five member panel to review the AFSPA's provisions and the same panel had submitted its report in June 2005.The panel members were unanimous in their key recommendation which is "the repeal of AFSPA", the statement added.

However, the Govt is yet to take any concrete step on the panel's recommendation.

It also yet to make public an inquiry commission's report into the alleged extra-judicial execution of Manorama Devi, despite a Gauhati high court directive.

AI fully supports the recommendation to repeal AFSPA and notes, with concern, the recent statement by defence minister Pranab Mukherjee that "Indian security forces would not be able to function without AFSPA", it said adding the organisation is committed towards swift repeal of the Act.

Advocate Rakesh Meihoubam, who is the counsel for victim's family, informed that all writ appeals including a contempt petition related to the Manorama Devi case are still pending in the Gauhati High Court and the same might be clubbed together and heard very shortly.

Members of AI (Manipur groups) spelt out their widespread campaign launched to demand complete withdrawal of the controversial act.

Meanwhile, a large number of people including members of the Apunba Lup, in mourning clothes, paid floral tribute to the portrait of the deceased woman at her residence in Imphal east district this morning.

students also joined the second death anniversary function organised by People's Action Committee, Bamon Kampu.

Interacting with reporters on the sideline of the function, Manorama's younger brother th Dolendro expressed strong desire that Government act positively on the findings and recommendations of the Ch Upendra commission.

He also conveyed despair at inaction of the Central Govt after the alleged intervention of the Union Defence Minister for status quo on AFSPA which is against the spirit of setting up the five member panel led by Justice Jeevan Reddy for assessment of the Act and submission of recommendations.

Reminding that none other than the PM Dr Manmohan had assured to take up positive measures to weed out draconian provisions in the AFSPA, Dolendro expressed remorse that inaction of the Govt is denying the victim's family to even carry out rituals associated with demise of a family member.

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