DRACONIAN ACT

DRACONIAN ACT

Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) was forced in North East (NE) India with the beginning of Naga Insurgency in fifties. It is a matter of dishonor that the utility of this is felt even today in the biggest democracy of world. Recently there had been a demonstration by Manipuri women in Delhi to revoke AFSPA and also in Imphal (Manipur) on 23 Jan 08. The feelings of mothers and sisters towards their kin are genuine. The famous case of Th. Manorama (Jul 04) in Imphal, Manipur and repeal of AFSPA, in Imphal, thereafter is well known. Gandhian fight of Irom Sharmila since 2001 is also well known. Infact the fight of Irom has earned her respected names like Iron lady of East and other national and inter national recognitions. The act was brought in to provide safety to armed forces personnel (Officer, JCO, NCO) against the impunity and freedom enjoyed by insurgents for violence. Under this act armed forces personnel are empowered to arrest a person without warrant on suspicion and open fire incase required for maintaining public order.

These special powers are only vested to armed forces in case the area has been declared disturbed by the state and notification issued by the central government. It is always voiced that armed forces commit excesses but a silver lining is that human rights commissions (HRCs) exercise check on these excesses . There are number of cases that come to light where armed forces personnel have been booked by the court (army/civil) for the excesses committed and victim granted compensation (thanks to HRCs). But in a democracy and free society this kind of restricting laws are unwelcome.

The beautiful canvas of NE region is stained with blots of militancy. So called insurgents have turned to terrorists and criminals. And advantage of the same is also taken by fake outfits and some foreign parties. If we see the kaleidoscope of insurgency in this region, there are approximately 60-80 outfits (approx 20- 25 in Assam, 30- 35 in Manipur and other states similarly) operating. This does not include the new outfits that get born everyday. All these outfits claim to fight for a cause. Whose cause and for who needs to be analyzed. They kill their own tribe’s men, they tax their own tribe’s men, they kill the other tribe’s men with whom they had been staying and sharing for decades if not centuries, they kill the dissenting group mates, and the new splinter and sub splinter groups are born on daily basis. The aim is to carve out a territory where they run their own court order, collect taxes for their survival and easy life, extort money, kidnap and claim ransom, hinder development etc. Max number of kidnappings, extortions etc. are reported from Imphal municipal limits.

There are three feeder national highways (NH) that connect Manipur to rest of the country and Myanmar. These NHs have been divided between various outfits for their revenue collection. NH 39 (Dimapur- Mao –Imphal- Moreh a border and trading town) is most important. Large number of trucks ferry items of daily needs to land locked state of Manipur every day besides passenger buses to Imphal on this NH. It is learnt that vehicles carrying items of daily needs are charged at the rate of approx Rs 3000/- per trip. Besides this the trucks and tourist buses pay an annual permit fee of Rs. 7000/- and 12000/- respectively. On Imphal- Moreh stretch (110 Kms) passenger buses and smaller commercial vehicles pay to the tune of Rs 30000/- and Rs. 20000/- respectively on annual basis. Similarly NH53 i.e. Silchar (Assam) to Imphal (223Kms) and NH150 Imphal- Kohima (Nagaland) - Aizwal (Mizoram) (523 Kms) have been divided as per own area of influence of outfits. Besides this all employees and businessmen also pay. All these taxes get added to the costs which a common man pays. The same amount can be used by the person (who has paid) for betterment of his family. Cyclic effect of all this is widespread corruption. All employees charge money to do the official work for a common man who is further deprived of available funds. No file moves in office without wheels (bribe).

Various types of taxes these organisations collect totals up in crores for each outfit. It is also learnt that they collect and spend money on welfare. Readers need to think about whose welfare it is (own leaders who are staying abroad) pseudo organizations (who only know to put fuel into the fire) or cadres (used as cannon fodders). The status of pseudo organizations is like an unscrupulous monkey who deprived the two cats of bread by his clever moves and ate up the same himself. Hierarchy of the outfits is investing money in real estate. NSCN owns prime properties in Nagaland. ULFA leaders own businesses and properties in Bangladesh. Similarly is the case of Manipur.

Other side of the coin is that there are certain unholy nexus to bring out fake excesses against AFSPA and the booty of compensation is shared by interested parties. There is an unholy nexus between the Legislators and Under Grounds (UGs). Although NHs can not be supervised on every point but presence of SFs restrict the free movement of the UGs. Imagine if they were able to have free hand what would have the status been of a common man – a mere slave probably. Imagine who is oppressing whom? The writer is not canvassing for AFSPA but there is need to introspect and arrive at a point when the state does not feel the necessity to declare the area as disturbed. There is need of whole hearted contribution by law makers, law keepers and society at large.

During recent rally of Manipur Alliance of Child Rights (MACR) on 23 Jan 08 the convener said, “..We firmly believe that the time has come to put a full stop on the atrocities
of AFSPA which is directly and indirectly affecting our children” ( Imphal Free Press date lined 24 Jan 08). Feelings of a mother, sister and a daughter for their men folk are indisputable. Historically role of women in changing the face of Manipur society is laudable and well documented. Whether it was against British administration (1904) or unscrupulous Marwaris (1940) or own men folk to stay away from drugs/ liquor in seventies they were victorious. But their familial feelings have also forced them to shield the erring young men who have taken to gun culture. Similarly now efforts need to be made to bring back the strayed youth. Do we feel the youth is on the right track? If yes then why the outcry against the bomb blasts, kidnappings, extortions, innocent killings happening without exception? If not then we have to Act for creating a situation of repealing the hated act and there should be no need to impose it ever. It is said that child is our future. Let us save our future.

“Every time a ever a child is born, it brings with it the hope, that God is not yet disappointed with man.” ‘Gurudev Rabinra Nath Tagore ‘

Geoffery
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