Invitation for panel discussion on Sustain violence and Impunity - 50 years of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958

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Sustaining violence and impunity

50 Years of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958

On 22nd May 1958, the Government of India promulgated an ordinance called the Armed Forces Special Powers Ordinance to meet the challenges arising out of the assertions of the Naga tribes in the then Naga Hills of Assam and parts of the then North Eastern Frontier Agency (NEFA). This ordinance was almost identical to a similar ordinance promulgated by the colonial British on 15 August 1942 to suppress the uprising of Quit India Movement. It gave extraordinary powers to members of the armed forces, such as arrest without warrant and shoot to kill on the basis of suspicion. The Parliament subsequently converted this ordinance, (which was brought in as a temporary measure), into an Act on 18 August 1958, and the President gave his assent on 11 September 1958.

Posted in Submitted by anivar on Wed, 2008-05-21 10:53.
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Student hurt in firing

The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 14: A student of the Manipur University was hurt in accidental firing by police commandos today evening at around 5.30 pm at Lairelpat along the Imphal Yairipok road under Irilbung police station.

Thokchom Premjit, 24, of Keirao, a student of second semester in chemistry of the MU sustained bullet injuries at the leg and has been admitted to the JN Hospital in Imphal.

Reports said that the incident occurred when police commandos of Imphal east district on frisking and checking duty detained Premjit while he was coming out of his home on a motorcycle for work.

Submitted by anivar on Thu, 2008-05-15 12:55.
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Will Indian government arrest those who discuss government decisions?

By Bobby Ramakant
Asian Tribune
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/11150

A human rights activist was arrested in Manipur for discussing a state government's decision in a public forum.

Sapam Kangleipal Meitei, 27 years, was discussing the impact of arming the civilians with weapons on the conditions prevalent in Manipur state. The state government had decided to give 500 gun licenses to natives of two villages in Manipur state.

State government decided to hand over 500 gun licenses to civilians because armed cadres of People Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), an armed opposition group in Manipur, had reportedly shot-dead two girls and a boy while seriously injuring the eyes of another girl on 24 March 2008. So the civilians of these villages were demanding arms for self-defense.

Submitted by anivar on Wed, 2008-05-14 14:22.
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Freed only to be detained- Supporters demand Kangleipal release

The Telegraph, Kolkotta

Imphal, May 13: Rights activist Sapamcha Kangleipal, who was arrested for criticising the Manipur government’s decision to arm civilians, was released on bail by an Imphal court today. He was, however, detained under the National Security Act immediately after his release.

Submitted by anivar on Wed, 2008-05-14 14:20.
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Bailed Kangleipal rearrested under NSA Protests galore, effigies of CM, DG burnt, MAFYF calls general strike

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 13: High drama marked the day when MAFYF president Sapamcha Kangleipal was produced before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, freed on a bail of Rs 40,000 only to be re-arrested under the National Security Act.

Women cops block protestors, police lift a woman from the road and effigies of CM, DG being burnt

Reacting strongly against the arrest of Kangleipal, MAFYF has imposed a general strike from midnight of May 13 till midnight of May 14 .

Submitted by anivar on Wed, 2008-05-14 14:16.
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MAFYF leader's arrest : Court arrest bid foiled Three injured in police crackdown

Women cops confront meira paibis demanding the release of Kangleipal near the Raj Bhawan

Imphal, May 12: Atleast three persons reportedly sustained injuries in police action when MAFYF volunteers made an abortive attempt to court arrest in front of Raj Bhawan here today afternoon demanding the unconditional release of MAFYF president Sapamcha Kangleipal from police custody.

Submitted by anivar on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:42.
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Dublin based Frontline urges release of Kangleipal

Imphal, May 11: Dublin based human rights defenders group, Frontline urged the Indian authorities to release Sapamcha Kangleipal immediately.

In a letter sent through the Chief Justice of India, Justice KG Balkrishnan, Frontline director Mary Lawlor asserted that Kangleipal was arrested and detained solely on the basis of his legitimate and peaceful activities in the defence of human rights.

Frontline also demanded for immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the arrest and detention with a view to publish the results and bringing those responsible to justice.

The group al

Submitted by anivar on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:39.
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Free Kangleipal cry gets more vocal

Imphal, May 08: Reacting strongly against the arrest of its president Sapamcha Kangleipal yesterday on charges of sedition, the Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) has demanded his unconditional release and alleged that the arrest violates the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Indian Constitution.

Speaking to newsmen at its office today, the secretary general of MAFYF, Ksh Premjit said that though India prides itself as the largest democracy in the world, in Manipur, the Government is acting just like dictators as in Iraq and Myanmar.

The arrest of Kangleipal on the basis of his statement given to the media during a briefing on May 5 as well as for organising a panel discussion on the decision of the Government to provide arms to villagers, violates the right to freedom of expression, guaranteed by the Constitution of the country, said Premjit.

Submitted by anivar on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:39.
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Kangleipal arrest protestors dispersed by police

MPHAL, May 10: Police dispersed a group of women protesting against the detention of MAFYF president Sapamcha Kangleipal while they were marching towards the chief minister`s bungalow.

The protestors were challenged by the police to come to court and defend the charge against Kangleipal.

Today at around 2.30 pm a group of women who were dropped at different locations near the chief minister`s bungalow by vans and auto-rickshaws attempted to carry out a protest in front of the chief minister`s official residence.

However, before they could reach the place the police intercepted and dispersed them towards Keishampat without much resistance from the women.

Submitted by anivar on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:36.
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SAFER THAN THE GUN

The Telegraph
FIFTH COLUMN - Sudipta Bhattacharjee

Have gun, will shoot. But who will the target be? That is the dilemma confronting 500 young recruits in Manipur being trained in the use of arms to help defend their villages against militants. Should they listen to the government, or abide by the diktat of insurgent outfits to use these weapons to kill the security forces? Or should they lend a ear to human rights activists who want these “special police officers” to take on the administration?

On May 3, the Ibobi Singh cabinet resolved to recruit 300 volunteers from Heirok in Thoubal district and 200 more from Chajing in Imphal West on an experimental basis. If the plan succeeds, it will be replicated all over the state. Given the loopholes, it is not difficult to fathom why the chief minister vacillated for months before arriving at this decision. If rebel depredations mount simply to grab the weapons of this rag-tag vigilante squad, those critical of this move will feel vindicated.

Submitted by anivar on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:28.
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