Sunday, September 18, 2011

Peacekeepers or Warlords: AFSPA and Violation of Human Rights in NE India

Violation of human rights of individuals in India is not though a new phenomenon, yet a serious unanswered question has frequently disturbed the mindset of Indians throughout decades particularly in the post colonial periods and that is the uncompromised safeguard of rights of citizens. Armed Force Special Power Act of 1958 has been brutally killed the most significant fundamental right of people, the right to freedom in India in general and North East in particular. The authoritarian measures have crushed the very democratic right of individual in this region. The question is how far excessive militarization through some draconian laws in the name of maintaining peace in the so called disturbed areas of NE would play an instrumental role in keeping peace upto a desired level? A parallel question is also raised as to what extent these biased laws would intervene in the very democratic rights of people from this region which is unfortunately a region of insurgent and separatist groups raising their dissenting voices for their existence in India and the world? This is alarming particularly in NE India as the picture of human rights is very gloomy and its violation in this region particularly in the post AFSPA era. It is the need of the hour for the stakeholders and policy makers and also for the people of this region.

Keywords: Human Rights, Violation, AFSPA, North East India

By Sasanka Dhaval Saikia