LAND OF PERPETUAL RUMPUS

By Parul Tayenjam

Once called the Jewel of India, enveloped with shimmering mystic, folklores and exotic oriental appeal. It remains sadly elusive to the mainland India, if not for the chaotic ruckus flaring up in the state that catches the eye of the media for its breaking news scroll. Its people caught in never ending conflict between its government and the so called 'revolutionaries' or the 'separatist', deemed to have proved justification of their existence for the sole purpose of liberation of its own people while ironically  wreaking havoc in the process.

Seeming not enough violence and conflicts, the Government of India imposed the Arms Forces Special Power Act, 1958. An act that mocks the very existence of human rights. Since its imposition, the military has been equipped with arbitrary power to succumb the masses at its will. Numerous instances of brutal inhuman killings of innocents have remained entombed till today. Fake encounters are an ever ordinary routine for the people whose unattended justice and cries are suppressed and muffled by erroneous blame of bargaining off the dead (victims) with sometimes preposterous accusation of having the victim associate with separatist group, even so when the victims are far independent of such allegations. This is Manipur.

The conflict between the government and the separatist organisations arise with the disputation of opinions on 'plebiscite'. Plebiscite refers to a vote in which all the peole in an area are asked their opinion about or decide an important political or social question. Like in the case of United National Liberation Front, the oldest separatist group working in Manipur, the fight is not only for an independent state but plebiscite as well. They believe that for a state to function and fulfill the wants and needs of its people a referendum is an inevitable solution.

But with time the genuine agenda have subsided, ruthless corruption and greed rooted in and thus, began the endless cycle of clashes with its own people. While the government leeched pompously on the state finances, its masses are left to gripping halt in context of every development possible. Far-fetched are the ideas of 'normality' in this state.

The stories of brutal killings are everyday news, pages of papers are ever splashed with it and shrugged off as 'routine'. Fake encounters are rampant and the state had once again gone under utter turmoil with the July 23rd,09 incident. On that eventful day, Chongkham Sanjit, an ex-PLA (People's Liberation Army) youth was brutally murdered in broad daylight in Khwairamband Bazar, Imphal, by the Police Commandos. Sanjit had retired from the group citing of personal illness and was legally a free man. He was framed with postion of weapon and subsequently killed with accusation of fleeing after having fired shots at the commandos which had earlier killed a seven-months pregnant woman, Elangbam Rabina. The initial reports  of the incident  by the Manipur Police came under scanner only when photos of eye witness accounts (of what really happened) was published later in Delhi based magazine, Tehelka. The pictures spoke of total contradiction to the story initially held by the police and thus, the weight of truth and reality began to refurbish its foundation. What did really happen that day? Many swear by the story that Rabina was killed by the commandos and Sanjit was later hunted down to take the blame. This is the story of many and it is what Manipur is.

''If you have two pistols, you can form a group and start collecting money from people'',these are the words of Sanayaima, leader of UNLF. Having its border to Myanmar, the supply and access to arms is immensely simple. If every individual starts to be corrupted with easy gain and extortions. Where do its people stand? Well, the future of the Manipuris are uncertain and vague, this is the answer I give.

MESSAGE FROM MS. IROM SHARMILA CHANU

The Civil Society Submit 2010

Bangalore, 24 - 26 January

The tranquillity or disorderliness of a society is dependent on the relationship between the civil society and it Rulers. Just like the relationship between the King and the Queen bees on the one hand and their numerous offspring on the other. The offspring builds a hive in accordance to the directives of the Rulers. And they all settle together happily inside the hive with plenty of food, honey and in the safety of a secured shelter.

But this pristine peace is not eternal. As the offspring matures and assumes multiple roles, contestation and competition crops up. One tries to outsmart the other right beside the much coveted Couple. The harmony of the hive is disturbed. The inevitable intermittent fractional fighting leads to dilapidation of the hive and ultimately ruins the bees.

The role of civil society within a nation, much like the offspring bees, is enormous.  They are the very back bone of the nation. The capacity to stand united by overcoming our narrow sectarian interest, by realizing the common good in building up a just social order and by our commitment to work hard to achieve this higher goal is the only way to bring about emancipation in our society. These virtues alone can make our dream of Justice - social, economic and political - come true. This alone can abolish starvation and poverty that has been chronically plaguing our society.

I am of the firm belief that it will also heighten Nature's Beauty. And Her Beauty will ultimately harmonise with mankind's well being. And in the same manner as honey contributes towards our well being and wax enhances the beauty of our cloths, an organically-evolved value-based civil-society can bring about a Civilized Universe wherein all our fundamental rights and basic freedoms can be realised in its true sense.

My warmest regards to each and every one of you who have contributed toward sustaining this hope for a just-world order! From the confines of my hospital bed in Imphal I wish the Civil Society Submit 2010 a Grand Success!

A copy of the original letter written by Ms. Irom Sharmila Chanu

Ms. Irom Shramila Chanu has been on a hunger strike since November 2000 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. The Act not repealed, she was arrested for attempting to commit suicide, detained in isolation, under judicial custody and forced fed for 10 years! 

BLISSFULLY IGNORANT? OR SADLY INDIFFERENT?

By Parul Tayenjam

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1959, 11^th September... An Act that endows certain “special” powers upon members of the Armed Forces in “disturbed” areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, 

Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

“Armed Forces” means the Military Forces, and Air Forces operating as land forces, and also includes any other assumed forces of the Union so operating. Any commissioner, warrant officer, or any other personnel of equivalent rank may, in these areas, arrest, detain and even shoot to death a civilian on the basis of plain old suspicion.

Coming from a state where “turmoil” has always been a word of daily use and the very utterance of AFSPA brings on a wave of rage within, I was grateful when the topic was brought up for discussion by activists from Manipur, in Mount Carmel College. My people and I have lived through enough dark times; that the “light at the end of the tunnel” seems more like wishful thinking than an actual promising reality.

Of course, a flicker did come in the form of Irom Sharmila Chanu. A symbol of hope for every other citizen of the North East; bearing a torch of non-violence and travelling on a persistent journey to our ultimate victory.

I must confess; I have not always been consciously and actively involved in the cause. I was altogether sadly indifferent and blissfully ignorant of the facts and issues at hand.

Memories of my childhood are entwined with those of strikes, bandhs and curfews. When I try to recollect those memories, I must admit I was mostly ignorant of the reason for the closed shops, schools and institutions; I was busy enjoying the “holidays” like any other normal kid. Frankly, to the young me, the bandhs and strikes were just an opportunity to stay at home, miss school and have fun!

When I was in my 3^rd grade, I vaguely remember my parents talking about Irom Sharmila and her unprecedented approach, her cry for justice for all of the North East, her cry for the repeal of AFSPA. People weren’t sure of her method; was it effective enough? Was anyone going to hear her out? What difference is one person going to make?

But it did not bother me much; after all, protests had become a daily routine in Manipur.

I grew up, still ignorant and oblivious. It had been a few years now that Sharmila had been fasting. 

Consciousness finally came to me when I was in the 7^th grade. The whole of Manipur had gone into a state of shock over the brutal rape and killing of an activist, Manorama Devi, by the Assam Rifles. I flickered through news channels and newspapers to know more. She was barbarically raped and killed. 5 bullets were found in her vagina...

My conscience started pricking me and I wanted to know how the Indian state and its armed forces could justify their atrocities. How could they justify hindering our lives with constant fear?

The Act has been imposed in the North East for more than 50 years. It has since been ravaging its victims from limb to limb. It thrives on the blood pulsating in its prey, and the Indian Government feeds it endlessly and unfairly with our blood.

We are constantly plagued with terror. Fear is instilled in us from a very early age and we are forced to keep mum and bear the pain and wounds. We did not have the slightest bit of hope, until Irom Sharmila. She is as courageous as a lion, but also as humble as a hermit. She is the voice of the voiceless, the power of the powerless. She was the strength in every Manipuri.

“I realize my task is a tough one. But I must endure; I must be patient. That day will come someday.
 If I’m still alive, until then I must be patient.”

-Irom Sharmila

It has been more than 10 years since she started her mission. The Indian Government is yet to repeal the Act, but countless people have joined in hands with Irom Sharmila to fight for the ultimate cause.

Unfortunately, many of us have learned to “live with it.” Unless we shake this tolerance off our backs, our goal will be not be fathomable.

When we stop “living with it”, when we realize we deserve more, when we ask for more; then... and only then, will we reap success.

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

By Deepika Singhania

Scene: Classroom of first year degree students.

Conversation: “Hey! You wanna go for that play today?”

 “Play? That North-East thing?”

 “Yep that’s the one. We don’t have anything better to do anyway.”

What we didn’t know then was that we would be moved to tears by the end of the play. It was something we had no idea about, something we thought to be a thing of the past.

We witnessed through it, the side of the world which was far away, but still a part of us. The atrocities experienced by the Indian citizens in the North-East by our very own Indian Army. We saw and felt the goosebumps after watching the inhumane acts committed there. All this just because of one ‘Act’- the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. This act has been implemented in these ‘disturbed’ areas because of terrorism threat. This gives the army personnel to enter and search any premise in order to make arrests. They can shoot at anyone who categorizes as a ‘suspect’.

But this is being misused. I have always adored and respected our army. I still do. Its not the army’s fault entirely. But then again, they play the major culprit’s role.

But why give them a power which makes them so headstrong? Why hasn’t our government repealed the act, even after almost a decade of the on going atrocities? Why hasn’t the media done anything about it? Why do we need people like Irom Sharmila Chanu to fast for ten whole years to get justice for her hometown? Who will answer these questions? We have the citizens of our very own country being exploited for nothing but innocence. What was their fault, to be born in our country?

There are protests being held and its high time we raised our voices against injustice. We as the citizens of India, pledge- ‘India is my country. All Indians are my brothers and sisters’. So if we don’t stand up for them, then who will? So be there when they need you. Like they say- ‘United we stand, d-i-v-i-d-e-d we fall.’

Irom Sharmila - One Act Play 'Le Mashale' by OJAS S J

FEBRUARY 2ND

By Sarika Rao

February 2^nd, 2011, this was the day my perception of pain and suffering changed. Till that fateful day, my idea of suffering was failing an exam…….or maybe breaking up with my boyfriend. You and me, the 

privileged lot, can't comprehend or even imagine anything worse than that.

February 2^nd set out to be a normal day in college. Classes, assignments, and finally we were to be addressed by some people working in solidarity with Irom Sharmila. It didn't mean much to me, little did I know how much a play by Ojas Suniti Vinay on Sharmila's life would affect me.  Until that day, I never had heard of her. (I'm one of those lesser informed people) and I'm certain I wouldn’t have even heard of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act hadn't it been for our discussions in Journalism class. (now im glad I don't sleep through them!) But it was only after I watched the play that I realized that what I knew about the Act was only what the government wants us to know. What is actually happening in the North Eastern regions and Jammu and Kashmir is an entirely different story, and that story needs to be told.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act was first introduced in 1958. It was invoked by the Indian Parliament to suppress the rebellion in Nagaland. This act was actually adopted by the British during the Second World War to squish the Japanese advances. It's ironical how the British manage to weasel their way into most Indian controversies! So, basically, the Indian government passed a law that was initially used during war to trample the Naga uprising. This law allows the army to shoot any person on mere suspicion. They are not answerable to the judiciary for their acts. This undermines the fundamental principle of democracy. The reason given on passing such a draconian law was 'these struggles are internal threats to national security'.

Lets examine that. Internal threat to national security.  In our country countless other groups have posed 'threats to national security' but we don’t have the AFSPA there. This act even denies the right to a fair trial! What am I talking about?? They don’t even see a trial! They may be shot on sight on pure suspicion… What if their suspicion was wrong? Won’t anyone stop to think about the consequences of that? Now most of you may wonder, its not my family out there, why should I bother? But let me tell you the issue is national. It's this anti national law that undermines the very foundations of democracy. Today such inhuman laws afflict the north east, tomorrow it will affect your neighbourhood. If you're countries democratic mechanism is rusting you have got to mend it before the machine collapses!

While the rest of us crib that we have power failure for an hour or two everyday,  people in the northeast have electricity for only 2 or three hours per day! While we see the army only during the republic day and independence day marches, they see them everyday! We have an hierarchy of courts to move if any of our rights are denied, there people are denied access to this hierarchy of courts. While we are asleep, a woman and her struggle are rife. Sharmila Irom has single handedly take up the struggle that the whole nation should have taken up.  For the past ten years, she has been fasting, annually arrested, faced a lot of oppression but her challenge remains unchallenged: can the army protect her, as they proved that they can kill her?

Our country is one of the few nations that is believed to have a successful democracy, but I think we have almost 2 billion misinformed people. We provide a democratic governance to a sect of the population while discriminate against others and we hide this racist attitude under a façade! AFSPA is the result of racist attitude, and if left unchecked this weed will destroy our nation. 

INDIA WILL DESTROY ITSELF!!

By Mariyam Alavi

Though an Indian by birth, I have lived outside India most my life. I grew up in the country of Saudi Arabia, and I always had this romanticized idea about the Indian Democracy. I always boasted to my Saudi friends that I came from a DEMOCRACY! But in the past two days, when I met people from the north eastern states of India and heard of the plight of Sharmila Irom, I realized that I had been labouring under a delusion. India was a “democracy” only in theory; in practice, it was far from it!

What democracy enacts a law that gives powers to its Armed Forces to shoot its own citizen on the question of mere suspicion? What democracy involves the Army in its internal affairs? What democracy ratifies a draconian law, such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, (not so) lovingly shortened and called AFSPA?

The AFSPA was enacted in September 1958, to ensure law and order in the so-called “disturbed areas” of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

According to this Act, in an area which is declared “disturbed” an officer of the armed forces have powers to:

§  "Fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death, against any person who is acting in contravention of any law" against "assembly of five or more persons" or possession of deadly weapons.

§  To arrest without a warrant and with the use of "necessary" force anyone who has committed certain offenses or is suspected of having done so

§  To enter and search any premise in order to make such arrests.

Even though the law was already very much being implemented in the north east for over 30 years, the people of mainland India came to know of it only in 1990, when it was extended to include Jammu and Kashmir. It was only when Kashmir was subjected to this draconian law, that our media focused on its issues; possibly because of the involvement of Pakistan.

I myself was not aware of all these atrocities, even though one of my closest friends in college is Manipuri. It was only when I saw Ojas Suniti Vinay perform a mono act based on the life of Sharmila Irom, in Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, on 2^nd February that I knew anything of their plights. Women are raped and murdered by the Army. On an average 300 women are widowed every year by the Army. Children are orphaned, fathers and brothers are killed. Is this how our government hopes to maintain “law and order” in the north east?

Many countries over the globe have “special” laws; the US has the USA PATRIOT Act, Singapore has the CLPTA. But no country across the globe allows its military to interfere in its internal civil affairs; no country but India.

According to the speakers at the “Seminar on AFSPA” organized by the Human Rights organization People’s Solidarity Concerns, this law has reduced India from a democratic state to a colonial one. In India somebody or the other is always “othered” and “the other” is criminalized or vulgarized.

This time around India has “othered” the people of north east. They want to know if it is because of their flatter noses and slant eyes? But who is an Indian? Every Indian looks different. India boasts of “unity in diversity,” but alienates its own citizens because they have distinctly different features?

In India, where everyone is talking about communalism and how we need to “hit hard and make it die,” we need to realize that racism is as much a threat as communalism. The law of AFSPA is a clear indicator of this. Even after 63 years of Independence, the people of north east are in no better position. In the words of Mr. Babloo Loitongbam, who is a Human Rights activist from Manipur, after being ruled over by “white sahibs” during the British rule, they are now being ruled by “brown sahibs.”

Many people may argue that the law was implemented for a “reason.” they ask, “What about the insurgencies? What about the disturbances?”

Prof. Bimol of JNU, who was also one of the speakers at the seminar, probably answers it best when he says that he doesn’t have the answers neither does he need to answer those questions. He has some questions of his own, why is the government getting the army involved in its internal affairs?

According to him, violence is administered only for two reasons; to institute new order and to preserve order. AFSPA has been implemented to institute new order; the Kashmiris, Nagas and Manipuris do not consider themselves Indians. India does not consider them Indians! Our National Anthem does not even mention the people of North east.

And India will destroy itself because of its draconian laws and policies and its negligence! It will destroy itself because sure it has the power to kill its citizens and annihilate them. But does it have the power to let the people of north east live? Does it have the power to nurture the many Irom Sharmilas of this land? Does it have the power to protect the “chinkies” with “pro-Mongolic” leanings?

These are the powers it should be seeking and these are the powers that will make it all powerful.