Monday, June 9, 2008

ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL POWER) ACTS AND ELECTION IN MANIPUR

T. Gouzadou
Ex-Minister

It appears that the majority of the people think that the need of the hour is to repeal the Armed Forces ( Special Dower) Act as if revocation of the act would solved all the problems of Manipur. AMSU, DESAM, MSF, LICM, AMUCO, AKSU, Apunba Lup and Meira Paibi have been trying for repeal of the act. Whenever there was dharna against the act, MLAs and even ex-CMs took part in it to show their solidarity. However, the act is still in force in Manipur because the SPF government headed by alliance Congress and CPM/CPI is not willing to take action for repeal of the act. Therefore, a very important question to be considered by the people seriously is whether the people shall support the Congress party and CPI party in the coming election or not. Do you really want repeal of the act or election under Secular Progressive Front ( SPF) ?

Since so many organisations want the repeal of the act, it has to be repealed in the interest of the people. There are leaders who appear to be against the act but at the same time support the Congress Party. Do you think that time has come to boycott the Congress Ministers and Congress MLAs who are not able to repeal the act? Will you agree with me if I say that their effort for repeal of the act is a shame? We notice that there are dishonest leaders who demands to the government in the hope of getting some pecuniary advantage in return. We have to remember that any demand made to the government must be reasonable and permissible under the law of the land. I do not believe that there will be improvement in Manipur as long as leaders of organisations could be bribed by government or any other agencies. Such dishonest leaders deserve to be disciplined by undergrounds who have the will to reform our decaying society.

If we think that SPF government is no longer desirable to run the government, we must not vote for Congress even if we do not boycott the election. We need strong - government. By the word "government" I mean "Ministers and MLAs". We know that government is not strong to take legal action against anti-social elements resulting in deterioration of law and order in the state. The government has not been able to take appropriate legal action even on fake appointments. As such, its attempt to repeal AFSPA may be compared with the attempt of a man who tries to bring a star from the sky. It is time for the people to wake up to the seriousness of the situation. Hence President Rule is preferable to Popular Ministry for development and prosperity of the people of Manipur.

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