Militarization of Manipur
Militarization of Manipur began in 1980 with the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which gives extraordinary
powers to the armed forces was promulgated in the State. Together with the proliferation in the armed struggle for
independence by various militant organizations both in the valley and hill, troop deployment was also strengthened considerably. Subsequently many lives were lost.
The armed confrontations between the troops and the militants have taken a heavy toll on both sides. Innocent civil population is also sandwiched between the militants and the Government forces. Many innocent people were either killed branding them as Militants or made to disappear while many more are maimed.
After 20 years of militarization of the state, militancy remains an insurmountable problem. Deployment of military, which is supposed to defend the country from external forces, has not been able to crush the armed struggle. When Manipur was declared disturbed there were only a few armed youths.
Today the number of youths who have taken up the arms has increased considerably. Leaders both in the State and the Center will say repeatedly that the problem of insurgency has slackened the pace of progress and development. This may be true, but do they ever try seriously to bring an amicable solution to this vexed issue?
Admittedly military is not the solution. If this is the solution insurgency would have been solved long back. Killing of a handful of militants or rounding up outlaws can never crush the armed movement. Even arrested militants are allowed to return back to jungles. A good number of militants including top ranking ones have been arrested till date, but few were booked and punished.
Leaders from Delhi will not hesitate to say that military is not the solution, but they will never come up with an alternative means. Mere appeals will not do the trick. One wonders whether all those in the helm of State affairs are benefiting from the present situation and whether New Delhi genuinely wants the problem of militancy resolved.
Imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which allows, the troops to kill a man on suspicion has come a cropper as far as tackling militancy is concerned. Only the civil population is made to suffer. Excesses and atrocities have alienated the people from the national mainstream. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has assured soon after assuming office that the Disturbed Areas Act will be reviewed. But was Ibobi serious when he made the remark?
The Manipur Human Rights Commission has also recommended to the Chief Minister to review the Act. As a matter of fact scraping of this "draconian law" is the popular demand of this State. A young woman has been on hunger strike for the past one and five years. It would benefit all if our intellectuals come forward and discuss the issue of lifting the "draconian law."
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)
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