CPI begins month-long campaign against AFSPA in Manipur

IMPHAL: CPI Manipur state council has begun a month-long campaign to demand scrapping the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), reintroduction of inner line permit system in Manipur and establishment of a fast track court for dealing with crimes against women, party sources said today.

The campaign which would include meetings and mobilisation of people throughout the state during the month was launched last evening at the CPI office at Rupmahal Tank here with senior party leaders M Nara (state council secretary) and L Iboyaima (former state council secretary).

Addressing the gathering of party workers and sympathisers, Iboyaima said that the campaign would continue till March 3. Human rights violations, unabated influx of migrants, rising number of unemployed youths and unavailability of PDS items in time would be highlighted during the meetings at various places.

He said the rising crimes against the women, shortage of drinking water would also be discussed with the people, adding that CPI state council would seek cooperation of civil society organisations and student bodies during the campaign.

Both Nara and Iboyaima said the party would also raise its demand for the closure of NSCN-IM camps in the territory of Manipur, if any, since the ceasefire agreement between the Centre and NSCN-IM was in force only in Nagaland State.

Nara said enforcement of inner line permit system is a major issue since the uninterrupted influx of migrants from outside the state whose number is now more than the total tribal population.

The Justice Verma committee has also recommended that sexual offences committed by the armed forces in the regions where AFSPA is in force, should be tried by the civil authorities and not by the military administration, as is the provision in the present draft of the AFSPA. Given the controversy surrounding the issue, the cabinet has not included this provision in the ordinance it has issued on the Friday evening.