The world largest democracy says it is committed to protect human rights. In the same time it loves to embrace the tool that promotes the violation of human rights. India still feels that half a century of imposition of this bad law (AFSPA 1958) which gives impunity to sophisticated gun totting men-in-uniform is not a long period.
On the pretext of maintaining law and order New Delhi will declare a state as ‘disturbed area’ to pave way for the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA). Once this is done security forces can use unlimited force and arrest anyone on mere suspicion without informing the detainee of the grounds for action.Under Section 7 of the Armed Forces Special Act (AFSPA) security forces are protected from prosecution even if they are accused of violating gross human rights. According to various human rights organizations, so far ‘not a single alleged perpetrator of human rights violation has been prosecuted in a civilian court.’ Forget about prosecution even records of human rights violation are not taken seriously by the government. The US Department of State on Human Rights says, “There were no official records available of enforcement actions or human rights abuses by security forces under the AFSPA during the year.” This development has indeed brought disenchantment and alienation in the common people.
There are more than enough valid reasons to repeal the draconian law. AFSPA not only gives negative psychological impact but also affects on the economy. In a state where AFSPA is imposed life stops at dusk or business after 6 pm is not viable. Heavy frisking forces the people to remain indoors.
During the regime of Dr Manmohan Singh the UPA government had assured several times that more ‘humane act’ would replace AFSPA. However, the inhuman law continues to bring immense hardship to the people.
Insensitivity to the pulse of the people has been the cause for the government for not initiating measures to win back the confidence and faith of the people. This attitude of the government is inviting further complicated situation.
