Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has vehemently criticized the government’s decision to reinstate the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police areas of the state, calling it an unfortunate indicator of the government’s failure to address the underlying issues of the ongoing conflict. Speaking at a press conference, Bimol expressed disappointment, asserting that the AFSPA’s reimplementation aggravates the situation instead of tackling its root causes.
Bimol accused the Indian government of insincerity, highlighting the historical suffering Manipur has endured under the AFSPA—an act that has been imposed for decades, prompting drastic protests from citizens, including naked demonstrations and tragic self-immolations. Despite these extreme appeals, the government has shown insensitivity to the people’s hardships by reimposing the law, he lamented.
The MP criticized the erosion of Manipur’s autonomy, noting that AFSPA’s dual imposition by both state and central authorities is unique to Manipur and undermines its self-governance. Although the law has been amended to distribute powers, Manipur remains the only state subject to this dual imposition—a factor Bimol believes weakens its political structure.
Furthermore, Bimol denounced the central government’s justification for AFSPA’s return, purportedly necessary for armed forces coordination. He argued that the Unified Headquarters already has the mandate to coordinate security forces, a mechanism that has nevertheless failed to maintain peace in conflict-ridden areas like Churachandpur and Moreh, which remain under AFSPA.
Overall, Bimol’s address was a firm condemnation of the government’s reliance on AFSPA, which he sees as a regressive step away from resolving Manipur’s conflict and respecting its people’s struggles and sovereignty.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/video/congress-mp-bimol-akoijam-slams-reimposition-of-afspa-in-manipur-1122276-2024-11-17?utm_source=rssfeed
Category :
Tags:
Publish Date: 2024-11-17 15:51:00
