'The Armed Forces Special Powers (Assam and Manipur) Act (AFSPA) has come into focus recently even as Manipur has made an advance in its case against Irom Sharmila, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the repeal of the AFSPA. Even as a Manipur court finds prima facie evidence of attempt to commit suicide against her we have an occasion to ponder over the AFSPA, over its necessity or the lack thereof and its relevance to a democratic country like ours.
'...The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, better known by its acronym, AFSPA,.. confers special powers on the armed forces to respond at will in “disturbed areas” in order to maintain law and order. In a “disturbed area,” a military officer can fire upon an unlawful assembly of five or more people if the need arises or even for illegal possession of fire arms. The military is free to use force, even causing death to those suspected of possible violence. No arrest and search warrants are required for any operation as in the provisions of the law.
"Kind Attn: Sh. Rajnath Singh ...we appeal to you to fulfill your promise of restoring humanity in Manipur. During the elections, the Manipur unit of BJP had declared that if voted to power, the undemocratic and arbitrary law of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will be repealed. This has reference to the news report in the Hindu dated 17th May 2014 and also in several other newspapers... So now that you have been bestowed with the trust of the people to restore humanity, we appeal to keep your word and take the humane decision to repeal AFSPA.
