The re-arrest of human rights
activist Irom Sharmila Chanu on March 8, a day after she was released
from the security ward of JN Hospital in Imphal for continuing her
fast-unto-death against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has once
again brought the focus of the entire nation on the draconian piece of
legislation. Widely viewed as being responsible for largescale human
rights abuses in Manipur, the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act (AFSPA)
has been in force in the state since it was declared a ‘disturbed area’
on September 8, 1980, with the order being re-issued every six months.
The resolute Sharmila has been on fast since November 2, 2000 after the
Malom massacre where ten persons were allegedly killed by the Assam
Rifles. The Army disallowed a magisterial enquiry into the incident.
While the worsening militancy in Manipur was cited as a factor behind
the imposition of the AFSPA, how far it has gone into containing
militancy is debatable. What, however, the Act has succeeded in is to
alienate the common people, thanks to the excess committed by the
security forces under the pretext of the Act. As the AFSPA gives
sweeping powers to the armed forces without making them accountable,
the state witnessed a spurt in atrocities by security forces. The BP
Jeevan Reddy Committee, constituted to go into the different aspects of
the Act following widespread protests in Manipur, submitted its
findings on June 6, 2005, with a recommendation that “the Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act, 1958, should be repealed.” The Centre, however,
did not act on the recommendations. Significantly, the 147-page report
noted that “the Act, for whatever reasons, has become a symbol of
oppression, an object of hate and an instrument of discrimination and
high handedness.” The AFSPA was modelled on the Armed Forces (Special
Powers) Ordinance, which was promulgated by the British government on
August 15, 1942 to suppress the Quit India Movement.
As per its provisions, even non-commissioned officers of the
armed forces are empowered to arrest anyone without warrant, to destroy
any structure that may be hiding absconders without any verification,
to conduct search and seize without warrant, and to shoot even to the
extent of causing death. Sharmila’s steely resolve and the manner of
her protest to get the oppressive Act repealed have few parallels in
recent history. Her single-minded persuasion of her goal – an
AFSPA-free Manipur – is growing stronger with every passing day. Her
act of courage has also succeeded in drawing global attention to the
issue, with more and more of her supporters lending their weight behind
her.
Assam Tribune Editorial 15.03.08
