NEW DELHI, Sep 15: “Fake encounters, torture of detainees etc are very regular features in Manipur. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act has created a climate of impunity”, stated Mr Brad Adams, executive director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division, as the humanitarian organisation today released it’s first ever report on Manipur.
The 79-page report, “These Fellows Must Be Eliminated’: Relentless Violence and Impunity in Manipur,” documents the failure of justice in the state, where for 50 years the army, empowered and protected by the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), has committed numerous serious human rights violations.
Human Rights Watch and the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network (MWGSN) jointly organised the release at the India International Center in New Delhi on 15th September 2008. The event was followed by a panel discussion titled “Roadmap to Peace in Manipur”.
The report documents specific cases of extrajudicial executions and torture by soldiers, paramilitaries, and police in Manipur since 2006, and the Indian government’s failure to curb the abuses. Torture of detainees, in particular severe beatings during interrogations of suspected militants and their supporters, remains common. Torture victims described to Human Rights Watch how they were arbitrarily arrested, beaten, and subjected to electric shocks and simulated drowning.
It also details the failure of justice in the killing and possible rape of alleged militant Thangjam Manorama Devi by the paramilitary Assam Rifles in 2004. Repeated attempts to identify and punish those responsible for her death have been stalled by the army, which has received protection under the immunity provisions of the AFSPA.
One of the key findings of the report is, that human rights violations by Indian security forces have fueled the armed opposition in Manipur. Therefore, the Indian government should fully prosecute army, paramilitary, and police personnel responsible for killings and torture in Manipur, Human Rights Watch said in it’s new report.
“Soldiers and police are protected by laws like AFSPA granting immunity and officials unwilling to hold them accountable for serious crimes,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, senior researcher on South Asia at Human Rights Watch and author of the report. “These laws perpetuate human rights abuses, which drive civilians to seek the protection of one or other armed group.”
In the discussion, Shri K. Padmanabhiah, Fomer Home Secretary and Government of India’s Representative in the Naga Peace Talks, stated, “The government should have the courage and conviction to say that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is not necessary. People that deal with guns have to be told that negotiations and dialogues work better “. Dr Oinam Bhagat, Associate Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University agreed to this and said, “Political dialogue is best but intentions have to be very clear”.
Human Rights Watch called on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to act on the findings of the committee he appointed to review the AFSPA in Manipur. Created after weeks of protests in Manipur following the killing of Manorama in 2004, the committee led by Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy recommended in 2005 that the AFSPA be repealed. The Indian government has failed to take action on the committee’s recommendation, says the report.
India has also ignored concerns and recommendations by United Nations human rights bodies calling for a review of the AFSPA. For example, in 1997 the UN Human Rights Committee said that the continued use of the AFSPA in Manipur was tantamount to using emergency powers and recommended that the application of these powers be monitored to ensure compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The Indian government has not only ignored the pleas of ordinary Manipuris and UN human rights bodies to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, but has even ignored the findings of its own committee,” said Ganguly. “This reflects the sort of callousness that breeds anger, hate and further violence.” However, also armed groups have carried out torture, killings, indiscriminately used bombs and land mines, engaged in forced recruitment, and conducted widespread extortion that needs to end, adds the author of the report.
In addition to repeal of the AFSPA, Human Rights Watch recommended that:
(1) The government of India and the state government of Manipur should investigate and prosecute government officials, including members of the armed forces, police, and paramilitary responsible for human rights violations.
(2) Indian security forces involved in military operations should take all necessary steps to ensure compliance with International humanitarian law.India should ratify the 1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
(3) Armed groups to take all necessary steps to ensure the compliance with international humanitarian law, specifically article 3 to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law.
(4) Armed groups to publicly denounce abuses committed by any other militant group and ensure that there is appropriate accountability for such abuses.
Later the discussion, that was attended by members from various ethnic communities of Manipur, drew attention to a reconciliation process in Manipur itself. “Manipur tragedy is born out of two issues
smooth jazz
I got this website from my pal who shared with me about this website and now
this time I am visiting this web page and reading very informative posts at this place.
I think that is one of the most significant information for me.
And i’m satisfied reading your article. However should
observation on some normal things, The site style is perfect, the articles is really great : D.
Excellent activity, cheers
Hi there mates, nice post and fastidious urging commented at this place,
I am genuinely enjoying by these.
hi!,I really like your writing so much! proportion we keep up a correspondence more
about your post on AOL? I need an expert on this house to resolve my problem.
May be that’s you! Taking a look forward to see you.
Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue regarding this piece of writing at this place at this weblog, I
have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
Right away I am going away to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast
coming yet again to read other news.
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do
I come across a blog that’s both educative and interesting,
and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue
is something that too few people are speaking intelligently about.
Now i’m very happy I came across this in my search for
something concerning this.
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you so much, However I am encountering troubles with your RSS.
I don’t understand why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody
else getting the same RSS problems? Anyone that knows the
solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
It’s really a great and helpful piece of info.
I am happy that you shared this helpful info with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Hello, this weekend is nice in support of me, since this moment i am reading this enormous educational article here
at my home.
Ahaa, its good dialogue about this piece of writing here at this weblog, I
have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly
all of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest
writers to write content for you personally? I wouldn’t mind composing a
post or elaborating on most of the subjects you
write in relation to here. Again, awesome weblog!
I visit day-to-day a few web sites and sites to read content, except this webpage presents quality
based writing.
I enjoy what you guys are up too. Such clever work and coverage!
Keep up the superb works guys I’ve included you guys to blogroll.
Hi, everything is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is
sharing information, that’s really good, keep up writing.
I am sure this post has touched all the internet users, its really really good
paragraph on building up new blog.
Currently it seems like WordPress is the best blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the
layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two
images. Maybe you could space it out better?
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious know-how on the topic of unpredicted feelings.
Hiya very cool site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark
your site and take the feeds additionally? I’m glad to
seek out a lot of useful info here within the publish, we want develop extra techniques on this regard,
thanks for sharing. . . . . .
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by
him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble.
You’re incredible! Thanks!
I like the valuable info you supply in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and take a look at again right here frequently.
I am moderately certain I’ll be told many new
stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
Very good blog post. I definitely appreciate this site.
Thanks!
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing problems with your RSS.
I don’t understand the reason why I can’t subscribe to it.
Is there anybody else having the same RSS problems? Anyone that knows the
answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
It’s really a cool and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you just shared this useful information with us.
Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you
for sharing.
I’ve been surfing on-line greater than three hours lately,
but I by no means found any fascinating article like yours.
It is lovely worth sufficient for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made
good content as you probably did, the net shall be a lot more helpful than ever before.
Admiring the commitment you put into your blog and detailed
information you present. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted
rehashed material. Wonderful read! I’ve saved your site and I’m
including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Currently it looks like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform out there right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
smooth piano jazz
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here
and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Excellent work!
With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?
My website has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either
written myself or outsourced but it appears a lot
of it is popping it up all over the web without my permission. Do you know any solutions to help protect
against content from being ripped off? I’d truly appreciate it.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I
find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
Great post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I am inspired!
Extremely useful information particularly the final section đŸ™‚ I care for such info a lot.
I used to be looking for this particular information for a very lengthy time.
Thanks and best of luck.
I like reading through an article that can make
men and women think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
Ridiculous story there. What happened after? Thanks!
When someone writes an post he/she keeps the idea of a user in his/her brain that how a
user can be aware of it. Thus that’s why this article is outstdanding.
Thanks!
Quality articles or reviews is the important to attract the users to pay a visit the website, that’s what this website is providing.
Hi, I do believe this is a great site. I stumbledupon it
đŸ˜‰ I may revisit yet again since I book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and
continue to guide others.
I relish, result in I found just what I was taking a look for.
You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice
day. Bye
I read this article fully on the topic of the difference of
newest and earlier technologies, it’s remarkable article.
It is not my first time to pay a quick visit this website, i am visiting this website dailly and take fastidious facts from here everyday.
If some one desires to be updated with most recent technologies after that he
must be pay a visit this site and be up to date all the time.
As the admin of this web site is working, no doubt very quickly
it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!!
Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Thanks!
Pingback: Classrooms