Guwahati: Various civil society organisations from North East on Wednesday appealed to the Government of India to repeal the AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act), 1958 from various parts of the region.
Addressing a press conference here, the COWF (Conflict Widow Forum), WAD and NEDF (North East Development Foundation) urged the Central government to respect the democratic voice of the people and repeal AFSPA immediately.
They also blamed the AFSPA for increasing crime against civilians by security forces in the NE states, especially Manipur.
The civil society bodies urged the Central government to start political dialogues with the armed political organisations for the long term sustainable peace and political settlement in Manipur and the release of Irom Chanu Sharmila and allow her for Reproductive Health Right.
Ms Sharmila has been on an indefinite fast demanding the repeal of AFSPA from Manipur for more than a decade now.
The demand for strict punishment of the rapists of a young medical student in New Delhi recently was also made by the organisations.
They have further urged India to ratify the Rome Statue of International Criminal Court immediately. (UNI)
