Mother Courage-OPINION-The Times of India

What prompted you to take the extreme step of staging a naked protest in front of Assam Rifles headquarters at Kangla Fort?

We saw how a 32-year-old girl, Thangjam Manorama Devi, was killed by Assam Rifles personnel. We decided to teach the army a lesson and tell them that enough is enough. We chose to show our anger with such extreme form of protest. I am old now and nearing death. I told my colleagues: Let us do something to end the excesses.

What is your next step?

We will continue the agitation till the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act is repealed from the state. Our chief minister is weak and cannot take a decision. Now, we will try to involve the wives of politicians and bureaucrats in the agitation. The Centre should also know that people are fed up with this Act as the security forces are killing innocents instead of targeting militants. They should understand the pulse of the people and their sentiments.

But, the Act was imposed to curb militancy?

We do not oppose when the army takes on militants. But, they should not target unarmed people. As far as women are concerned, we have been victims for the last 24 years. There are numerous cases of rape by security forces. We cannot tolerate all these any more. If we don't do something now, what will be the future of our sons and daughters? We are ready to die now to save our children.

How long have you been fighting against the Act?

Since 1980, Manipuri women are in the forefront of the agitation against the Act. First, we fought alcoholism as it was destroying our social fabric. We had formed the All-Manipur Women Social Reformation and Development Samaj in 1975. It was registered in 1978. Then, when the AFSP Act came, we saw many innocents being killed by security forces. The killing of popular dramatist Jogendra Pebia, and others like Kangujam Loken and Chanam Chaoba, have pained us a lot. As the men were being harassed, we, women, decided to lead the fight and tell the police and the army not to touch innocents.

But, the Act has been upheld by the Supreme Court?

Initially, we thought it will get better when the Supreme Court made issuance of arrest memo as mandatory for armed forces while apprehending any individual. The court also said the army should hand over the apprehended person to the nearest police station within 24 hours. But, the killings continued even after the issuance of arrest memos. See the case of Manorama. She was picked up from her house on July 10 by Assam Rifles. An arrest memo saying nothing was found from her house was also issued. Next day, they killed her and gave fake charges. We just cannot accept such behaviour.

Have you lost trust in the army?

We have no trust in them after the recent episode. Officers should understand the ground reality and stop abusing our basic rights. They should see how Lt General (Retd) V K Nayar performed his duty as general in the 1980s and as governor in the 1990s. During his time, things were better as he listened to our arguments. Army should understand that our children never told us when they joined the underground.

Security forces allege that women 'meira paibis' (torch bearers) are instigated by militants and many of them are their (militants') relatives?

I have three sons and three daughters. And, none of them are militants. But, I am fighting the security forces' excesses. They cannot just blame us like that. They should, instead, correct themselves. Yes, till today, my children have not joined the ranks of militants, but if the abuse of human rights continues, I cannot say anything about my grandchildren. I cannot guarantee that they will not take to the jungles.

Will you wait till August 15 to see what the government does?

The chief minister has set August 15 as the deadline for repealing the Act. We are eagerly waiting for the outcome. If he fails, Manipur will burn as people cannot accept anything other than a repeal of the Act.

But, the Centre seems to be of the view that it will be difficult to handle insurgency without the Act.

They should first lift the Act and see themselves whether the situation has worsened or not. Then, they can assess the situation again. But, the Act must go first. Insurgency has only increased ever since the Act was imposed in 1980. Human rights abuses by security forces have also increased after that. Last year, a girl committed suicide in Jiribam after she was allegedly raped by army troops. Army never revealed the findings of the court of inquiry. Another woman was raped in front of her own son. A woman was raped at Matai village of Imphal East district two years back in front of her own husband. In the 80s, a pregnant woman was raped and killed during a combing operation at Patsoi. Do the security forces have any explanation for these incidents? How long shall we tolerate such things?