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North East : Movement against Armed Forces Act : PM’s offer rejected

	December 11, 2006

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement to make the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act more “humane,” has failed to convince the people in the troubled north-east, particularly the Manipuris who are spearheading the movement for repeal of the Act.



The announcement, made by the Prime Minister on December 3 at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal during his two-day visit to Manipur, has invited sharp reaction from the general public, human rights groups and political parties.



In an apparent show of strength, eight political parties in the state, mostly belonging to the Opposition, have joined hands to take up the issue of repeal of the Act with the Centre. They have also launched a platform called the Political Parties Forum Against AFSPA. Announcing this on Dec. 7, its convener, K. Saratkumar Singh, said the decision to set up the forum was taken at a joint meeting held on Dec. 6.



The forum comprises representatives of national and regional parties, including the NCP, Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), RJD, Naga National Party, BSP, Manipur Peoples’ Party, CPI and CPI(M).



Neither the Congress, which is leading the Secular Progressive Front Ministry, nor the Opposition BJP sent their representatives to the meeting. The CPI, which is part of the forum, is a partner in the SPF ministry.



Reports from the state capital indicate that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who is heading the Congress-led coalition government, is also not happy with the Prime Minister’s offer.



Describing the Prime Minister’s stand as a “complete disregard” of the sentiments of the people of Manipur, Saratkumar Singh (NCP) said the forum will send a delegation to Delhi soon to mount pressure on the central leadership to have the issue discussed in Parliament and devise means for repeal of the legislation. The delegation will also urge the Centre to initiate talks with militant organisations.









BJP for discussion in Parliament



Reacting to the PM’s announcement that the Centre was considering changes in the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act to make it “humane”, the BJP demanded a threadbare discussion on the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee Report in the ongoing session of Parliament.



Addressing mediapersons, BJP zonal secretary V. Satish said the law and order situation in Manipur was “grave.” “Let the Prime Minister come out with a clear statement on the Reddy report and also on the Manipur situation,” Satish demanded.



The Reddy Committee has recommended repeal of the Act and has also called for the amendment of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the inclusion of a chapter that empowers the Army with the same authority that the special powers act does.





Sharmila in fight-to-finish



In New Delhi, Manipuri activist Irom Sharmila who is on a hunger strike in protest against the repeal of the Act, has rejected the Prime Minister’s offer to make the law “more humane.”



Sharmila has been admitted to AIIMS under police custody. According to sources, she “isolated” herself from her family members and refused to be fed liquids through a nasal pipe on hearing that the Prime Minister had promised only amendments to the legislation.”



Sources close to Sharmila said that nothing short of a promise to repeal the “draconian” Act will do.





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PM’s visit to Manipur : An assessment



Two promises by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the two hours that he spent in Imphal on Dec. 2 have left Manipur cribbing and Nagaland seething.



Those campaigning for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act said Dr. Singh’s attempt to mollify them with a promise to make it “more humane” meant little.



“The Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee has already reviewed the `ins’ and `outs’ of the Act. The people of Manipur will be happy only if the report is tabled and passed by Parliament. “I don’t think mere changes in the Act will satisfy them,” CPI leader Moirangthem Nara Singh, who is the convener of the ruling Secular Progressive Front, said.



The Prime Minister’s second promise to Manipur - to protect its “territorial integrity” - antagonised the NSCN (Isak-Muivah). Already peeved with the government’s indecision on the issue of integrating all Naga-inhabited areas of the Northeast, including parts of Manipur, the militant group said, New Delhi would have to make its stand clear once and for all.



Manipur has been fiercely resisting the NSCN (I-M)’s campaign for a “Greater Nagaland” or “Nagalim”.



“The government of India has failed to make its stand clear on the relationship between Nagalim and India in nine years (of ceasefire),” a senior NSCN (I-M) leader said.



Talks between New Delhi and the Naga militant leadership are scheduled to resume in Amsterdam next month.



The Naga Hoho, the apex organisation of the Naga tribes, joined the NSCN (I-M) in slamming the Prime Minister’s remark that the territorial integrity of Manipur would remain unchanged. Naga Hoho general secretary Neingulo Krome said it was “uncalled for” and smacked of “double standards”.



Babloo Loitongbam, executive Director of Human Rights Alert, said Dr. Singh’s statement on the Army Act was a “big disappointment”.



The Apunba Lup, the conglomerate of NGOs spearheading the campaign against the Act, was equally critical of the Prime Minister. “Our stand is very clear. The Act should be repealed. We shall accept nothing less than total repeal of the act,” asserted A. Langdon, one of the co-ordinators of the Apunba Lup.