Memorandum submitted to PM for repeal of AFSPA

IMPHAL | Dec 10

Women Action for Development (WAD), Imphal, has today submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India, to repeal AFSPA 1958, and to set up a commission inquiry to investigate execution and crime against women in Manipur.

On the occasion of the observation of International Human rights Day, 2000 people gathered in Moirang, the historical place where the Indian flag was hoisted as a symbol of free India, ironically, to deliberate on the grave implications concerning AFSPA.

Since 1992, 18791 people have been executed extra judicially in northeast India, including the 5101 deaths in Manipur. That, out of the 2273 cases reported since 2012 in Manipur, the number of conviction is only 28, and access to justice is rare, especially for women, it added.

The memorandum further mentioned that since 2017, 50 women were killed in Manipur by known and unknown people and cadres of armed groups who are suspected to be closely associated with the Indian security forces.

That, the report of the special rapporteur in India, on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions of 2013, had raised serious concerns about the excessive use of force by security officers and also on the legislation of AFSPA which permits such use of force without accountability, it continued.

Furthermore, the memorandum also added that besides the appeal for removal of AFSPA 1958, it has been urged upon the Prime Minister to set up a commission inquiry to investigate execution and crime against women in Manipur, with the mission to eradicate unlawful killing of women in Manipur.

To allow women victims to speak about their experiences and also ensure access to justice and punishment of the perpetrators, it added.

Lastly, justice is demanded against the six-person (male) suspected to be carrying arms, who had attacked the office of WAD on August 11, 2017, the memorandum added.