AFSPA issue gets UN glare

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 has struck UN attention when a delegation from Manipur participated at a convention of indigenous people recently in New York.

The two member delegation of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN (CSCHR) elaborated the draconian act that has killed many people in Manipur and its neighbouring north eastern states. 

The 14th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the UN Headquarters in New York from April 20 May 1 found it quite strange to have heard the AFSPA where the security forces are virtually given free hand during an operation against insurgent outfit.

Comprising Jiten Yumnam and Pushpa Koijam from the Centre for Research and Advocacy, the delegation intervened on Human Rights and Future Works during the PFII session.