Manipur: The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the United Nations (CSCHR) said that the chief minister of Manipur should join the other NE chief ministers pressing for repeal of AFSPA.
The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the United Nations (CSCHR) then said it “joins the condemnation against the indiscriminate shooting down of unarmed coal mine labourers by the armed forces of the Union and subsequent repression of the protestors using lethal weapons resulting into the death of at least 16 civilians and injuries to a score of others at Oting, Mon district, Nagaland on December 4, 2021.”
The CSCHR then reminded the Government of lndia of its obligation to not only institute prompt, though, independent and impartial investigation but also for restitution of the losses suffered by the families of the victims caused by the “wrongful act” of the State.
According to the CSCHR, the Oting “massacre” is not an isolated incident, but it is yet another manifestation of the consistent pattern of atrocities committed by the lndian military deployed under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 in the North East region for more than half a century. “Mention may be made of Heirangoithong massacre, Operation Bluebird (Oinam massacre), Makokchung massacre, RMC massacre, Malom massacre etc.,” said the CSCHR.
It then said that this unfortunate incident has rekindled the longstanding demand for the repeal of AFSPA.
“lt may be noted that all the official committees and commissions looking into the issue has consistently recommended the repeal. The United Nations human rights mechanism including the all the relevant treaty bodies, Thematic Special Procedures as well as the Universal Periodic Review have recommended the repeal of AFSPA as it grossly violates the most basic human rights,” the CSCHR also said.
The CSCHR further said that it is encouraging to note the chief ministers of Nagaland as well as that of Meghalaya have reverberated that voice of sanity to repeal this draconian law. “The issue has now echoed in the ongoing Parliament session in New Delhi. However, we are shocked and surprised by the stoic silence maintained by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur at this critical juncture,” said the CSCHR.
CSCHR then “strongly” urged the Government of Manipur to put its weight for the repeal of AFSPA in order to fulfil the long-standing demand of the people of Manipur.
NNN