Skip to main content

'Fully abrogate draconian AFSPA', its removal from few N-E districts is 'partial victory'

By Sadique Qureshi* 

Justice BG Kolse Patil, president, Movement Against UAPA And Other Repressive Laws (MURL) has said that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, (AFSPA), is the main reason for the uncontrolled military powers for detention, torture, destruction, killing and execution of Indian citizens in North-Eastern states. 
This draconian Act was passed in 1958. It was initially implemented in Assam and Manipur and after amendment in 1972, it was also implemented in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.
Section 3 of the AFSPA, empowers both the Central and the State governments if they feel to notify a region/area as “disturbed areas”. On account of such disturbance or situation prevailing in the whole of the State or any area thereof, the governments, both Central/State can empower the armed forces to assist the civil administration, in controlling the situation. 
The whole State or some areas thereof may be notified under a Section 4 of AFSPA, which gives certain special powers to the armed forces to operate in 'disturbed areas'.
In the month of December very unfortunate incident of human rights violation is from Nagaland, wherein 13 innocent persons were killed and some were seriously injured without any significant cause.
After this incident Court of Enquiry initiated disciplinary proceedings against the army unit and army personnel, who are directly involved in the Oting incident and action will be taken immediately on the basis of fair enquiry. The identified persons who will face the enquiry will be placed under suspension with immediate effect.
In 2017, the Supreme Court had ordered an investigation into 1,528 cases of alleged extrajudicial killings between 2000 and 2012 by the security forces and police in neighbouring Manipur, another State under AFSPA. It is a law that has great potential to be misused or abused for large-scale human rights violations.
The law has caused enormous sufferings to thousands of innocent people. Amed forces have grossly misused its provisions; killed, raped, abducted civilians
This law has caused enormous sufferings to thousands of innocent people, as armed forces have grossly misused the provisions and killed, raped, and abducted civilians and destroyed their properties. Some states like Kashmir and Manipur witnessed more violence by the armed forces by using the provisions of this Act.
The people of the States under AFSPA and human rights groups across India have been demanding for long, an unconditional withdrawal of AFSPA in the best national interests.
MURL and various human rights organisations were continuously campaigning for repeal of all repressive laws, UAPA and AFSPA in particular. In fact, the present decision to withdraw AFSPA in some parts of the country indicate partial victory of such efforts.
Justice Kolse Patil said that for justice and peace to prevail in our border regions, we have to raise joint struggles till the repeal of this repressive law happens in totality.
---
National coordinator, Movement Against UAPA And Other Repressive Laws (MURL)

Comments

TRENDING

Small Farm, big success: How an innovative couple built a model of sustainable farming

By Bharat Dogra  In Sema, a remote village in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district, Bhagwati Lal and his wife Rekha share equal credit for creating a remarkable farm that has become an inspiration for villagers and visitors alike. Their achievement demonstrates how even a very small piece of land can provide a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods while enhancing climate resilience and protecting the environment.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Shrinking settlements, fading schools: The Tibetan exile crisis in India

By Tseten Lhundup*  Since the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala has established the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the guardian of Tibetan culture and identity. Once admired for its democratic governance , educational system , and religious vitality , the exile community now faces an alarming demographic and institutional decline.