[Reader-list] discussion on manipur, in bombay

[Majlis]

Discussion 
on  'Manipur, the North East and the Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Specials Powers Act'

Date: August 25th, 2004. Time: 4 pm

Venue: Press Club, VT.

 

Speakers: 

Adv. Nandita Haksar, Human Rights advocate in Supreme Court, Delhi

Artex Shimrey, Advisor, North East Students Organisation (NESO), Assam.

 

Chair: 

Nikhil Wagle, Editor, Mahanagar, Mumbai.

 

On July 15, around forty elder women, ages 50 to 65, held a naked protest against military violence in Manipur in the North East and shocked and shamed the entire country. They held a banner that screamed- Indian Army rape us! The protest was sparked by the death of  32-year-old Thangjam Manorama whose bullet ridden body  was found on July 10. Witnesses say Manorama was picked up by soldiers of the paramilitary Assam Rifles from her home on the charge of alleged links with separatist rebels. Protests led by a coalition of women's organisations in Manipur have since been escalating, primarily demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Specials Powers Act  which has been in force since 1980, under which almost anyone from the security forces can arrest any person on suspicion of being a militant or a supporter to the militant cause. The person can be detained for months without being produced in court. There is almost no accountability. 

 

The events in Manipur and the North east raise issues that are important to all of us. We have therefore invited two speakers who have been associated with the region for many years, well known Supreme Court advocate Nandita Haksar, and Atrex  Shimrey who is a leading activist with NESO. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session. Nikhil Wagle will chair the meeting. Please make it convenient to attend, and please publicise this meeting and post it on all email lists. 

 

Organised by:

Media for People, Majlis,  Akshara, YUVA, Focus on the Global South, 

 

-sd-

Yuvraj Mohite

 

 

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