Mani decries reimposition of AFSPA

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 15: Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani has vehemently condemned reimposition of AFSPA in the North East region, particularly Manipur.
Speaking to media persons at his Loklaobung residence today, Khaidem Mani expressed strong disapproval against reimposition of AFSPA in some parts of Manipur.
He said that revocation of AFSPA from the areas where it has been reimposed would demand a strong mass movement.
By reimposing AFSPA, the Government of India, instead of containing the sustained and large-scale violence unleashed by Kuki militants, seems to have an intention to divert the public attention from the main issue, he remarked.
AFSPA is in force at Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Jiribam and Kangpokpi where the Kukis have been waging a sustained war but no action is taken under AFSPA at these places, he pointed out.
In places where AFSPA is in force, there is no need for Government order, armed forces personnel can open fire to kill if necessary, he said.
Reimposition of AFSPA at places where Kukis have been waging war against the Meiteis whereas the infamous Act is not invoked in the Kuki dominated areas defies logic, he asserted.
So any demand for revocation of AFSPA should go hand in hand with the demand for effective military crackdown against Kuki narco-terrorists, Advocate Khaidem Mani said.
RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat made a statement in connection with Bangladesh wherein he stated that atrocities and violence will be highest when the Government is weak, he quoted.
Extortion, threats, bomb explosions etc can be handled by police but the armed forces have been doing nothing against those who have been committing genocide.
He said that acts of insurgency are different from extortion and threatening people.
Acts of insurgency are defined by attacks against armed forces. Reimposition of AFSPA at places where there is no insurgency will only lead to misuse of the Act, he added.