Manipur ambush a setback to AFSPA repeal cry: Gaikhangam

IMPHAL: The killing of 18 Dogra Rifles personnel by Myanmar-based militants on June 4 may upset the campaign by several organizations for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Manipur.
While Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam said the attack on the convoy of 6 Dogra Regiment near Paraolon village dampened the state government’s move to scrap the Act, Lt General Bipin Rawat, GOC, 3 Corps, underscored the need for the law to remain for smooth counter-insurgency operations.
Activist Irom Sharmila Chanu has been on a fast for the last 14 years demanding repeal of the Act, which gives sweeping powers to the armed forces, including shooting people on mere suspicion.
Condemning the attack, Gaikhangam, who holds the home portfolio, said, “The government would not be in a position to scrap the Act if such subversive incidents continue to occur in the state.”
Stating that the state government had begun studying ways to scrap AFSPA in view of mounting pressure from people, particularly rights bodies, Gaikhangam said the move has received a setback following the deadly attack.
Lt General Rawat, who commands the Army troops operating in Manipur and Nagaland, said the AFSPA was only an enabling provision which was helping the Army to operate.
He said the aim of the Army was to conduct a people-friendly operation without causing any hardship to civilians.
“Our aim is to work with the people of the state in whatever we are doing here,” the Army officer said.
“While AFSPA will remain, we will continue with our operation in the way we have been operating in the past. It is not that we will suddenly start harassing the people — that is not our idea,” he added.
Manipur rights activists renewed their anti-AFSPA campaign a day after the Tripura government lifted the military law on May 27. Joining the chorus, over 3,000 Manipuri children petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal the Act.
Regarding the Chandel ambush, Sharmila said violence would not bring peace in the land.
The anti-AFSPA campaigner questioned whether some people were attempting to change Manipur into a place of mindless killings.
In the aftermath of the brutal rape and killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi by Assam Rifles personnel in July 2004, the Okram Ibobi Singh government had lifted the AFSPA from Imphal municipal areas covering seven assembly segments.
During his recent visit to the state capital, Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju had said AFSPA would be withdrawn from Manipur if law and order improved.
He said that the Act was withdrawn partially from his home state Arunachal Pradesh after the situation improved considerably.