The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act is in place in Manipur for the last 55 years. While the forces claim it is impossible to improve the security situation without it, its frequent abuse has led to the death and disappearance of many youths, it has led to rape of women by security force personnel. While Irom Sharmila's marathon fast has kept the focus on the issue, 55 years is enough time to take stock of what the imposition of AFSPA has yielded. Senior journalist and author of 'Highway 39' Sudeep Chakravarti joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on the issue.
Q. Hi Sudeep. two questions. First a hypothetical question. AFSPA has to go. But is there a plan how it should go? Gradual phasing out? Absence of AFSPA is essential for peace in Manipur but do you fear some kind of a vacuum once it goes? Second question: Example of any specific counterinsurgency operation that AFSPA has helped? Asked by: Arijit Sen
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05:57 PM, May 23, 2013
Imphal: It has been 55 years since the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was first introduced. The longest demonstration against it has been on in Manipur with Irom Sharmila on a fast for over 12 years now. This April, Rashida Manjoo, the United Nations envoy on Violence Against Women listened to a group of 40 women, including the mother of Manorama Devi. In 2004, Manorama, a 32-year-old was...
08:41 AM, May 23, 2013
In an interview to CNN-IBN, Irom Sharmila said that she loved life and was only using fast as a means of protest. ...
05:42 PM, Mar 04, 2013
Social activist Irom Sharmila, who has been on a hunger strike for about 12 years demanding repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), will be produced before a Delhi court on Monday. ...
06:13 AM, Mar 04, 2013
In July 2004, a group of 12 women disrobed in front of the Kangla Fort in Imphal, holding up a banner that said, 'Indian Army Rape Us'. They were protesting against the rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama allegedly by security forces. Manorama was picked up from her house on July 11 by Assam Rifles soldiers. Her dead body was later found with several bullet wounds, including on her genitalia....
06:47 PM, Feb 04, 2013
The three-member Justice Verma Committee on Wednesday sought review of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) - a suggestion that may be welcomed by social groups and activists who have been demanding abolition or amendment of the act. The act allows an officer of the armed forces to use measures such as make unwarranted arrests or search any premises to make arrests. ...
07:35 PM, Jan 23, 2013
In July 2004, a group of 12 women disrobed in front of the Kangla Fort in Imphal, holding up a banner that said, 'Indian Army rape us'. They were protesting the rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama, allegedly by security forces. Manorama was picked up from her house on July 11, 2004 by Assam Rifles soldiers. ...
09:20 PM, Jan 16, 2013
The 2004 rape and murder of Manorama in Manipur had shocked the nation and put the spotlight on the abuse of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. In July 2004, a group of 12 women disrobed in front of the Kangla Fort in Imphal held up banners that said - 'Indian Army rape us'. ...
09:24 AM, Jan 15, 2013
Army Chief General Bikram Singh on Monday defended the Arms Forces Special Powers Act for soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir, an act which has been under attack by activists and human rights activists. He said the dilution of AFSPA was not required. "AFSPA has been given to soldiers to operate in highly volatile environment. We should not dilute the provisions of AFSPA," General Bikram Singh said, while speaking on the...
12:55 PM, Jan 14, 2013
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11:25 AM, Dec 04, 2012
Irom Sharmila, Manipur's 'Iron Lady', on Monday completed 12 years of protest demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). ...
11:26 PM, Nov 05, 2012
She is protesting against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. ...
07:18 PM, Nov 05, 2012
Imphal: Irom Sharmila, Manipur's 'Iron Lady', on Monday completed 12 years of protest demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). On an indefinite fast, Sharmila, who is force-fed through the nose to keep her alive began her fast till death after ten persons, including a boy who received the national bravery award, were shot dead in an alleged encounter with Assam Rifles personnel at Malom near Imphal...
12:22 PM, Nov 05, 2012
Kolkata: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Saturday he would continue to press for repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act "which is a very important issue". "This is a very important issue for Jammu and Kashmir and that is why I am pressing for it. I will continue to press for it," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of the Kolkata Literary Meet that coincided...
07:57 PM, Jan 28, 2012
New Delhi: The Indian Army has been severely criticised by the Supreme Court for not deciding if it wants to take action against its officers involved in the Pathribal encounter case. The apex court on Monday issued a notice to the Defence Secretary and the Home Secretary in the March 25, 2000 encounter at Pathribal in South Kashmir in which seven people were gunned down for allegedly being Lashker-e-Toiba terrorists....
04:39 PM, Jan 23, 2012
Akhnoor: Terming the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) as a matter of national security, an Army commander said on Sunday although the Army and the Government have their own takes on the issue, solutions are likely to emerge after discussions at the top level. "Let me clarify that AFSPA is a matter of national security. We have our own stand while the Government has its own take (on the...
10:09 AM, Jan 16, 2012
Srinagar: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday alleged that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had raked up the AFSPA issue to divert attention from the death of a ruling National Conference worker in police custody last year. "Omar took up the issue of AFSPA to divert attention from custodial killing of Mohammad Yousuf Shah," she said. The NC worker died on September 30 last year in police custody...
05:56 PM, Jan 10, 2012
New Delhi: Amid reports that the Army is opposed to withdrawal of controversial AFSPA from some areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Army Chief General VK Singh on Thursday said the issue is under the purview of the Home Ministry. He said the Army has already given its inputs on the issue. "This (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) is within the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. They are debating...
11:38 AM, Oct 27, 2011
New Delhi: The Indian Army is against removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Kashmir, saying that there is no let-up in infiltration bids. According to sources, Army has taken up AFSPA issue with Cabinet Secretary, claiming that there is no let up in infiltration from across the border. Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain said, "Deliberations on this subject are still going on. We will decide in...
07:10 PM, Oct 23, 2011
![Rajdeep Sardesai]( "Rajdeep Sardesai")
"Why don't you cover Irom Sharmila's decade-old fast with the same intensity as you did Anna Hazare's 13-day fast?" asked Binalakshmi Nepram, the founder of ...
12:02 AM, Sep 09, 2011
