Dear Editor,
Killing people on mere suspicion and arrest without warrant are only some unaccounted powers provided to the users of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). Although many judicial commissions and the highest Court of the land have spoken against AFSPA being used as a tool to suppress unrest, and talked in favour of AFSPA being used as a “last resort”, the Act’s draconian use without application of mind drew flaks from various quarters. Check and balance on the use of AFSPA is the need of the hour. Irom Sharmila’s long protest triggered a debate on the utility of AFSPA though the governments were loathe to repel the Act. Seeing the futility in wasting her time and health on a cause repeatedly cold shouldered by governments, Sharmila has now rightly decided to continue her fight politically. The North-East needs a resolute fighter focused on uplifting the plethora of problems faced by the region.’
Ganapathi Bhat
Via-e-mail