by: Ashim Kumar Ghosh
Manipur is being imposed
AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Power Act). It authorizes the central government and heads of states and
Union Territories to declare the regions they govern to be "disturbed
areas." The act gives armed forces extraordinary powers, including
immunity from legal action, and the licence to shoot to kill and arrest people
without obtaining warrants. It has been alleged that over 1,528 people died in
extra-judicial killings ('fake encounters') carried out by the army between
1979 and 2012 in Manipur. The Supreme Court in July said the army and paramilitary
forces couldn't use "excessive and retaliatory force" in Manipur, and
asked for a report on alleged fake encounters in the state[1].
There are evidences regarding the
ethnic conflicts throughout the years in between the Kuki-Naga-Meitei it is a triangular
conflict, engrained in the political movement from each side, each ethnicity is
endorsed by the political armed groups. Ethnic conflict is caused by ethnicity, which mobilises,
structures and manages ethnic organisations. Further, their leaders use ethnic
divisive strategies to mobilise political support. The minority ethnic groups
having endured alleged discrimination for over sixty years felt that their
shared deprivation had been long enough and thus mobilised political support on
ethnic lines. The territorial integrity of Manipur is now vigorously challenged
by the diversity of 36 ethnic groups living in the State. The insurgents of
these ethnic Kukis, Nagas, Kacha Nagas (Zemi Nagas now) and smaller units like
Hmar, Paite, Gangte etc all demand regional autonomy or independence. Meiteis
want an independent Kangleipak while Kukis dream of Zalengam. Nagas prefer to
form Nagalim[2].
New district have been carved out
of nine existing districts of the Manipur for the demand of separate Sadar hill
district, other districts are also been divided to split the NAGA population as
told by Naga leaders of UNC several time. The
creation of these districts comes in the wake of the ongoing indefinite
economic blockade enforced by the United Naga Council (UNC), protesting against
the creation of two districts, Sadar and Jiribam, alleging that the new
districts would encroach the ancestral land of the Nagas[3].
UNC imposed economic blockade since
1st November 2016 and till continued, amidst blockade first phase of election held
in Manipur for 11th Manipur legislative Assembly. The UNC has decided to continue with its economic blockade - which
completed 100 days on February 8 - against the Manipur government's decision to
bifurcate Naga dominated areas and create seven new districts[4].
Tri-partite agreement failed in New
Delhi in between the Ministry of Home, Govt. of India, Manipur Government and
the UNC leaders and Economic Blockade became the poll agenda in the state. People of Manipur were left disappointed on February 7
as the Centre, state government and the United Naga Council failed to reach a
consensus in the second round of tripartite talks to break the economic logjam
in the state[5]. But common people were the
sufferer from both the sides, but they have enjoyed the right to vote with 82%
of voting percentage.
Questions also been raised what is
in the agreement framework of Govt. of India and the NSCN (IM), agitation is
going on and even gheored the Governor of Manipur to get the answer about the
words and paragraphs of the agreement. Prime Minister of India, during election
campaign clarified, we are working for the Territorial integrity of Manipur not
the divisive role for divide and rule. The signing of the “Peace Accord”, “Naga Accord” or “Framework
Agreement” (interchangeably used)has drawn flaks from all across the country.
Neither the Government of India nor the NSCN IM which has signed the Accord on
behalf of the Nagas has come out clear on this issue. The NSCN IM ultimate
demand has been the integration of Naga inhabited areas of Asom, Manipur,
Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and consolidating it to “Nagalim” (Sovereign
Independent State of the Nagas[6]). "There is not a single word in the framework
agreement, signed with the NSCN (I-M), that would compromise the territory of
Manipur. The Congress government here has been sleeping since 2015. Now, it is
raking up the issue to win votes. Ibobi Singh and others have been spreading
lies to the people on the issue," Modi said during his 55-minute speech[7].
Ball passes on the court of election
commission of India to conduct free and fare election in Manipur. Appeal has
been made to UNC to withdraw the call of prolonged economic blockade from
Manipur. Manipur Governor Ms. Najma Heptulla on
appealed to the United Naga Council (UNC) - the apex body of Nagas in the state
- to reconsider their decision of continuing with the indefinite economic
blockade of the Imphal valley in light of the impending state assembly
elections[8].
Govt. of India, Ministry of home
shifted para military forces to help state government to clean the highway so
that necessary commodity for the people can be prevailed at the state level,
but it also failed, evident from long queue in fuel station. Security forces
shifted from Utter Pradesh to Manipur for election purposes. Prices of commodity
is rocketing high, again people of the state are suffering whether hill or
valley, all impacted. With little headway in
efforts to end the economic blockade in Manipur, the assembly polls in the
state may see one of the highest deployment of Central para-military forces in
the recent times. Sources in the home ministry said that around 20,000 troops
deployed in parts of UP covered in the first few phases of polling, may be
diverted to Manipur over the next 15 days. According to force deployment
details accessed by TOI, while 16,000 troops are already deployed in Manipur to
help the state government clear National Highway-2, along which Naga rebel
group United Naga Council has been enforcing a blockade for over past three months[9].
Chief election commission of India notified
after the notice from NCPCR has served notice on February for not using the
children during the election process.
State CEO of Election commission
has notified for using the children in the polling process because VDF is in strike for
getting the hiked salary and decided not to be part of the election, what is
the reason...? why they do not want to be part of the election
process...ASHA and AWW are also delayed in getting their salary in
time in State but they agreed to be part of election...matter to be
discussed.. Even as the Manipur Commission for the Protection of Child Rights
(MCPCR) urged the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) not to used children below 18
years of age in any election related activities, handful of students volunteers
were deployed in most of the polling stations today during the first phase of
Manipur assembly poll. The students volunteer were used following the direction
of the CEO Manipur as an alternative measure for Village Defence Force (VDF)
who use in election has been disallowed by Election Commission of India (ECI).
The student volunteer will be paid an honorarium of Rs 200 for their service by
the election office[10].
Child right commission of Manipur
notified and requested CEO for not engaging children below the age of
18, while keeping in the mind the situation of State and examination in hand. UNCRC is
being ratified by Government of India and National Policy for Children is the
document circulated by Govt. of India. The Manipur Commission for the
Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has sent a written intimation to the Chief
Electoral Officer (CEO), asking the latter not to involve children below 18
years in any election related activities and process as instructed by the
Election Commission of India (ECI). The reaction of the MCPCR comes following
a report published by a local daily that published an order of CEO on the
subject “deployment students in polling stations for regulatory purposes”[11].
Are we are aware
about the genuine reason of imposement of AFSPA in manipur, I assume if
yes, then are we able to send our children to replace VDF in polling booth.
Are not our children are being impacted by the series of Political volatile
situation, where schools were bandh for several days in Dr. Keasm killing case,
Mr. Sanjit killing case, Inner line permit agitation in both the places Hill and
valley, Are we are not aware the state with 188 cases of POCSO FIR after the enactment of Law
(Reported by Police), Supreme court of India passed order, not send
the children below the age of 12 to outside because of rampant trafficking in
the name of education. CBSE exam is in hand..going to be held in March
itself...Schools were closed down for several days, syllabus are not
being completed, children are running from post to pillar. In this situation
can we ask our children to maintain the polling procedure of polling booth...I don't agree.... The Manipur government ordered
for shut down all educational institutions in
the valley districts for three days as a measure to control rising public
unrest over the issue of the three bills passed by the state Assembly last year
to safeguard interest of the indigenous people. Official sources said a cabinet
meeting presided by the chief minister and decided to close the educational
institutions in the four valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal
and Bishnupur, which were hit by agitation demanding the President's assent to
the bills[12]. To counter the growing clamour among
students for the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur, the
state government directed all schools and colleges in Imphal valley to remain
closed.
The police department has been asked to make the
necessary security arrangements to safeguard the property of all educational
institutions[13].
How far our sense permitting us to
use children in political movement and Political process, raising economy for
home, going outside to get the education in peaceful environment, How far we
will say our children to violates own rights to be with the siblings and
family....or is it compulsion ?
Are we are giving space to our
child ? Are we are doing our activity for the best interest of children ? Is it
any value of the statement of the UNCRC and NPC, Childhood is for every
children to enjoy their childhood.... “We, indeed, have a moral obligation
towards our children; towards their development and security, and in giving
them equal opportunity. Let us commit ourselves to the noble task of fulfilment
and protection of child rights everywhere. Our children will inherit a world
that we would devolve them. It is our responsibility to ensure that such a
world is a better place than what we were given,” President Mukherjee said[14].
In this grieve situation, we need
to be alert and more careful to our children and society. Our Children would
give the shape to our society and nation. We need to come in single platform
for the sake of my children, our children and children of the nation. There are
sufficient and adequate policy, law, act for children in this country, only
need of the hour is to follow the norms and direct interpretation for the
interest of children.
[1] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/the-afspa-and-manipur-10-key-points/listshow/53613784.cms
[2] https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/6439-causes-of-ethnic-conflict-in-manipur/
[3] http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/manipur-7-new-districts-united-naga-council-okram-ibobi-singh-sadar-hills-nagas/1/830729.html
[4] http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/second-round-of-talks-between-government-and-protestors-fail-in-manipur-1657470
[5] http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/second-round-of-talks-between-government-and-protestors-fail-in-manipur-1657470
[6] http://morungexpress.com/the-framework-agreement/
[7] https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170226/jsp/frontpage/story_137786.jsp#.WLvgRfmGO00
[8] http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/manipur-assembly-election-governor-najma-heptulla-united-naga-council/1/890326.html
[9] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/manipur/news/manipur-assembly-polls-may-see-highest-deployment-of-security-forces-in-recent-times/articleshow/57153016.cms
[10]
http://ifp.co.in/page/items/38000/students-used-in-lieu-of-vdf
[11]
http://ifp.co.in/page/items/37899/commission-asks-ceo-not-to-use-children-in-election
[12] https://www.telegraphindia.com/1160601/jsp/northeast/story_88673.jsp#.WLvlYvl9601
[13] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/ILP-Manipur-government-shuts-schools-colleges/articleshow/39036459.cms
[14]
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/programmes-for-children-have-to-take-centre-stage-in-national-policy-making-pranab-mukherjee-4420322/
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