Jiribam/Zairawn
The Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) was till hitherto described as a "necessary evil". But the so-called Human Rights issues used earlier - for years - to blast the AFSPA and Indian army in multiple quarters have done a vanishing act among Hmars especially in Zairawn village of Jiribam district in Manipur.
"Till mid-2024, we also believed AFSPA and Indian army are devils.... but no longer. In fact, the Assam Rifles saved hundreds of Zairawn village residents. This is also the crucial to mention as police and other forces failed us when the anti-Hmar violence was perpetrated," says K Khuma, Village Authority member.
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| Sung in front of his abandoned house |
It has to be mentioned that one of the worst cycles of the Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence in Manipur that began in May 2023 in Imphal-Churachandpur region began on November 7th in Jiribam district.
At least 19 people were killed in separate incidents including 10 Kuki men who the security forces and police have called "militants".
The Kuki tribes and various organisations have denied the claims that the 10 Kuki men were militants. Locals called them village volunteers who are allowed to carry arms.
The violence in Jiribam region has multiple dimensions. The multi-ethnic Jiribam district has overwhelming Bengali Muslims, Meiteis and Hmars and other Kukis.
The National Highway 37 is a lifeline for Manipur and three districts of Noney, Jiribam and Tamenglong.
The NH 37 passes through Jiribam to reach Assam and subsequently the rest of the country and had remained calm and violence-free for over a year until June 2024.
Most locals among both Kukis and Meiteis feel the violence was triggered in Jiribam region only when the body of a Kuki teenager was found in a river.
Jiribam region is about 220 km away from the state capital Imphal, on the interstate border with Assam and has allegedly often led a campaign against alleged 'negligence' of state capital Imphal since the 1980s and 1990s.
Hundreds have been rendered homeless and Hmar people now are thankful to the Assam Rifles and other central forces even as a strong complaint still sustain against one particular force.
"I would not have backed AFSPA had we been protected by police and other forces before Assam Rifles arrived.... There was apparently a deliberate negligence and our people were attacked in a gruesome manner," said Lalram Sung, Village youth chairman, who has given his house now to a platoon of Assam Rifles personnel.
The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Acts (AFSPA) of course accompanied with the Disturbed Area Act empower the Forces to act in difficult situations. However, the central government says there is also a "robust mechanism" in place for course correction during operations and conflicts.
Thus, while admitting the need for the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the onus lies squarely on the Armed Forces to ensure that these special provisions are not put to any "misuse".
The government in the past "did not hesitate" in taking stern action against the guilty, in case of any misuse/abuse of powers, it was claimed in a paper tabled in Parliament.
However, it ought to be remembered that the anti-India elements in Kashmir or militants in the northeastern region have an advantage of surprise elements.
This 'surprise' actually means near fatal roadmaps for soldiers.
snap :: Village chairman.
In 2017, the Supreme Court had passed an order about 62 cases of the alleged 'extra-judicial killings' by security forces and police.
The abuse of police and military powers in Manipur have been issues of great concern for decades during the Congress regimes both in Delhi and Imphal.
There have been reports of 1,788 such “extra judicial” killings across India between 2002 and 2013.
Uttar Pradesh had the dubious distinction with the maximum number of 743 fake encounter deaths.
A 410-page petition filed in 2012 on behalf of two Manipur-based organizations in the Supreme Court had also cited the instance of a 22-year-old who went looking for a missing cow on his bicycle and was found shot dead.
Meiteis also have a good opinion about central forces.
"In this region Assam Rifles helped resolve the Manipur Commandos hostage crisis.. that was a great moment to cherish," said one Indu Laishram at Jiribam.
Chinglemba Nameirakpam, secretary general All Manipur Students Union, Jiribam -- said, "Our town and district was peaceful for a year.... but some motivated factors triggered the violence. Thanks to forces that things were brought under control ... But uneasy calm still prevails".
Moral of the story-- Successes are forgotten quickly and failures get known with all its implications.
The Armed Forces can never let the nation down on this count.
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| Khuma |
ends
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