IMPHAL, Feb 23 � A day-long consultation on Supreme Court appointed Justice N Santosh Hegde Commission�s Report and Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, has urged for the repeal of the Act.
It has also sought respect for and implementation of the common article 3 of the Geneva Convention, 1949 and Additional Protocol-II of 1977.
The recommendations were made in a consultation jointly organised by Langching Youth Games Society, Educational and Development Association, Sugnu and North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) at Sugnu Bazaar in Thoubal district on Friday.
It also urged for setting up of a Special Investigation Team to investigate into all cases of rape, torture and killing of innocent civilians, women and children and deliver justice to the victims and compensate them besides seeking assistance for the victims. The Consultation further sought immediate halt to tortures and summoning of civilians by security forces.
Urging the Governor to visit the families of those who were raped, killed, tortured, etc, it also called for respect for and implemention of the common article 3 of Geneva Convention, 1949 and Additional Protocol-II of 1977.
Rev. Onthong Khongsai Asst. Superintendent ECI, Chandel; W. Basanta, Advocate; Ms. Lhaineikim Haokip and U. Nobokishore, attended the consultation as presidium members.
Speaking as a resource person, U Nobokishore, Convener, NEDF, stated that imposition of AFSPA in the North East and Manipur in particular is like waging war without declaring emergency in the region. He said that the various massacres, massive human rights violations during military operations, rapes, enforced disappearances and tortures committed against civilians by security forces amounted to genocide, crime against humanity and war crime.
The report of the Hegde Commission stated that all seven persons killed in the six cases probed by the panel proved to be extra-judicial execution in fake encounters, he recalled.
Another resource person Ms Lhaineikim Haokip stated that it is women and children who suffered the most due to the ongoing armed conflict.
