If peace returns AFSPA will automatically be repealed says Okram Ibobi

IMPHAL, March 25: If peace returns to our state, the dreaded Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA 1958, will automatically be repealed from the state said Chief Minister Okram Ibobi speaking at the first Northeast India Women Peace Congregation held at Sangai Hall, Imphal Hotel today.

Addressing the opening function as chief guest, Ibobi further said return of peace is the key to the end of AFSPA 1958 in our state. He cited the example of the withdrawal of the Disturbs Area Status from the seven Assembly Segments of Imphal in 2004 considering the sentiment of public by the state government, he said this is not impossible.

On the other hand, if the law and order situation is not normal, the AFSPA will remain even if the State government agrees to repeal it, he said. As an illustration Ibobi cited the case of Nagaland where the State Government have been trying hard to have the AFSPA repealed from their State, but to which the Central Government has never given its assent.

We already have seven segments free of the AFSPA and even if our people can maintain peace, the whole state can shake itself free of this Act, Ibobi further said.

He commended the first Northeast India Women Peace congregation today, saying it is a good initiative by the Control of Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) in collaboration with Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network (NWGSN) and Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace (NEIWIP).

Okram Ibobi said that though Manipur is a tiny state located in Northeast part of the country, it has the priceless asset of being endowed with rich natural beauty and cultural mosaic of a diverse range of ethnicities.

He said in Manipur, both in hills and in the valley, women serve as the backbone of the family as well as the society. He also agreed that in the event of any violence or conflict in a society, the first to feel the pain are women and children.

Our state has experienced prolonged insurgency and counter-insurgency, and this has had a great impact on the welfare and psychology of womenfolk. Many have lost husbands, fathers, brothers, sons… and the burden of keeping the household hearth burning has increasingly been left on the shoulders of women.

They have also suffered direct physical assaults and injuries, humiliations, rapes and murders. Over and above conflict related sufferings, they have also often been the victims of domestic violence, he said.

He said the effort of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace to help such women victims are extremely praiseworthy. “I really appreciate the effort put up by renowned personalities to sensitise the government as well as all stakeholders on this issue” said Ibobi.

He said while the government is taking all possible measures to protect the right and privileges of the women folks, it is a welcome step that these organisation are also taking measures in supporting the victim in psychological and financial terms to uphold the dignity in the society.

He also urged the womenfolk of the State to also give a concerted effort to mould public opinion to shun violence. If such an effort is successful, he added that Manipur is sure to regain its long lost ambience of trust, love, peace and harmony one again and have the leisure and inclination once again to enjoy the bountiful gifts of nature their State is bestowed with.

He assured his government would take all necessary steps for protection of women as well as to extend assistance to the victims ensure them means of livelihood.