Withdraw AFSPA immediately, rescue 6 captives: Manipur women organisations

Imphal: Seven women’s organisations have demanded to Immediately withdraw Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from the six valley areas, where the Army Act have been re-imposed on Thursday.

The women bodies called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill his slogan of ‘Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao’ by rescuing those three women, two children and an infant, who have been held captive by armed Kuki militants following Monday tragedy in Jiribam.

The women’s organisations were Apunba Nupi Lup, Thoubal District United Women’s Development Organisation, Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), All Manipur Women Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj), All Manipur Tammi Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup, Eramdam Enat Chanura Loinsinlon, Manipuri Chanura Leishem Marup, Nongchup Ima Palem Ema Apunba Nupi Lup, and Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup.

AFSPA was re-imposed in areas under six police stations across five Manipur districts in wake of escalating violence in five districts of Manipur over the past week. It has been reimposed in the areas under the police stations of Sekmai and Lamshang in Imphal West district; Lamlai in Imphal East; Jiribam in Jiribam district; Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district; and Moirang in Bishnupur district.

“Re-imposition of the black law AFSPA under six police stations, is an example of the government being ‘irresponsible and cowardness,’ failing to maintain law and order. This cannot help restore peace in Manipur,” said Lourembam Nganbi, president of AMKIL.

“Two youths, who were abducted in Kangpokpi district and held hostage, were e released after 11 Kuki prisoners were freed from jail. Is the government going to repeat the same with the six captives from Jiribam?”

“Step down if you (CM Biren Singh) don’t have the strength to protect Manipur people,” she said.

The women’s organisations demanded to go back to Manipur’s ‘pre-merger status’ if the central government is unable to control the frequent attacks by armed militants on civilians,  Th. Ramani, president of Nupi Samaj.

Failure to rescue the six captives contradicts Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao’ slogan, she added.

“Manipur people want PM Modi to address the violence in Manipur rather than remain silent,” Ramani said.