SSSC wrote letters to MHA, PMO over the issue of AFSPA

PRESS RELEASE

SSSC WROTE LETTERS TO MHA, PMO

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign is a nation-wide campaign in support of Irom Sharmila and for the repeal of the draconian law of AFSPA. For three years now, it has been working to spread awareness, mobilise support and generate political pressure to repeal the law. In this regard, it has organised awareness campaigns, public demonstrations, two nation-wide awareness rallies, nation-wide signature campaign, met NHRC chairperson, written letters to PMO, the President and other authorities etc. It is an umbrella of many civil society organisations. 

In the wake of the elections, it had also organised several intiatives like writing to all political parties to include the demand of repeal of AFSPA in their manifesto and an anti-AFSPA rally in Delhi. Now, with the coming of the new Government, SSSC appeals to the new government to work for the people and repeal AFSPA.

On behalf of SSSC, core members Ravi Nitesh and Devika Mittal wrote letters  to the PMO and MHA to repeal AFSPA on the grounds of humanity, democracy and trust building. The Manipur unit of BJP had also promised the repeal of AFSPA during elections so they are now being urged to fulfil their promise that they made to the people who trusted them and voted for them. 

Please find enclosed the letter that was sent to the PMO and MHA. 

Regards,

Devika Mittal/Ravi Nitesh

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign

To,  

Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs,

Government of India

New Delhi – 110001

Subject: About fulfilling BJP’s promise to repeal AFSPA

Kind Attn: Sh. Rajnath Singh ji

Respected Sir,                                                                                                                                                    

Many congratulations to your party and to you for the people’s mandate that led to your stunning victory in these elections. The massive and stunning victory of BJP shows that people had shown their faith in you. It was a vote of faith. With your victory, the time has come to prove to them that they were right.

In this regard, we appeal to you to fulfill your promise of restoring humanity in Manipur. During the elections, the Manipur unit of BJP had declared that if voted to power, the undemocratic and arbitrary law of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will be repealed. This has reference to the news report in the Hindu dated 17^th May 2014 and also in several other newspapers. We were happy to learn about this that you had shown your faith in working for the people, for humanity. It has given us a new hope. So now that you have been bestowed with the trust of the people to restore humanity, we appeal to keep your word and take the humane decision to repeal AFSPA.

AFSPA which has been existing for 60 years now has devastated the affected regions. There has been a gross violation of human rights in these areas. With arbitrary powers and legal impunity granted to armed forces, AFSPA has led to extra-judicial killings, fake encounters, rapes and torture of civilians. AFSPA challenges the basic fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. It has become a political issue in which the only sufferers are the common people.

In this regard, as you know, Irom Sharmila or the Iron lady of Manipur, has entered the 14^th year of her hunger-strike against AFSPA. For 14 years, she has been pleading for humanity. Her struggle of 14 years shows her relentless faith in the democratic institutions. She is hopeful that someday the Government will listen to her. She is a true democrat yet her democratic way of protest is being ignored in the ‘World’s largest democracy’.

She has been charged with the attempt to commit suicide but that is wrong. It was not suicide, it is a great sacrifice, a struggle for humanity. In her court trials and in interviews, she has said that she loves her life and is only demanding that the fundamental rights that are granted in the constitution should be extended to people in North-East India. Sir, Irom Sharmila was not a social activist. She was not even a direct victim of the law. Yet, she is on a hunger-strike for 14 years. And she is not alone. 

We are a part of the Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, a nation-wide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila. For over three years now, the campaign has been organizing public demonstrations, awareness programmes in colleges, signature campaigns in about 20 states and nation-wide rallies to spread the word about her and her struggle. From all these, we have gathered that people are sympathetic towards her, her cause. People believe in her. The Supreme Court, NHRC, several national and international human rights’ organizations have also regarded AFSPA to be a draconian law. Even the government’s own committees like Jeevan Reddy committee recommended already for its repeal, Justice Verma committee that was formed after Delhi Rape case (Nirbhaya case)  had also recognized the sexual violence that happens under the garb of AFSPA and had recommended that these sexual violence cases should be treated in the same way as sexual violence cases in non-AFSPA states.

AFSPA does not have the mandate of the people. In regard to democracy and humanity, we demand that:

1.       Immediate steps must be taken to Repeal AFSPA from Manipur on the basis of ‘promise’ by your party but the more than that on the basis of ‘Justice’ and ‘humanity’.

2.       Immediate steps to Repeal AFSPA from other regions of North east and J&K.

We also understand that these steps may be immediate but may take some time to be executed on ground, and therefore we also hereby demand as interim actions:

1.       Charges of 'commit to suicide' must be taken back from Irom Sharmila Chanu and she must be set free. Her fast is for the life, and not against life in anyway, also it is for the society and not for any personal reason. With the interim relief, Government must order to remove charges of section 309 (attempt to suicide case) from New Delhi and Manipur both places and must set her free to meet people like any normal citizen can. 

2.       The Govt of India, must meet officially with Irom Sharmila to convey its initiatives in this regard.

3.       The recommendation of the Justice Verma committee regarding the sexual violence cases under AFSPA should be implemented.

Also, as everyone has some expectation from change of government, SSSC appeal to the Govt of India to take concern of the plight of common people of Manipur who had also showed their trust in govt by their vote and that on the reasons of 'justice' as well as for 'welfare' and 'trust building', it must repeal AFSPA at the earliest. 

Thanking You

Yours Sincerely,

Ravi Nitesh/Devika Mittal

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign/Mission Bhartiyam

Copy to: Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

SSSC REPORT ON IROM SHARMILA'S PATIALA COURT HEARING

Irom Sharmila going to the court

New Delhi: Irom Sharmila, the Manipuri activist who has been on a hunger-strike for 14 years now with repeal AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act), appeared for the hearing at Patiala House Court, New Delhi. She was produced here in a case where she sat on fast on Jantar Mantar, New Delhi in the year 2006, but was charged under 'Commit to suicide' case as per section 309 of IPC. 

The matter was scheduled in court room no 20B at serial number 27th in the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain. Sharmila was produced in heavy security of police and most of the supporters were not allowed to reach till court room as soon as she arrived in campus. Even the supporters who were already in court room, later pushed by police away from court room. 

Hearing was started in first half of the day at around 11.50 AM, however in between due to lunch hours of court, hearing resumed again at 2 PM. 

In today's hearing, two witnesses' statements were recorded. In the next hearing which is scheduled for 17 July, other evidences will be examined. The judge had ordered for the exemption of the physical presence of Irom Sharmila and suggested that she may be represented by a counsel But she objected to it and said that she will appear for all hearings as she is fighting for truth. 

The judge had stated his above-mentioned orders and said that she can leave but Irom Sharmila told that she wants to speak. She negated the charge of suicide as she remarked, "I love my life". She said that she has been fighting for basic fundamental rights prescribed by the Constitution of India for the people of North-East. 

To this, the judge responded that he understands but he cannot say anything about this issue. He said that he will try that this case gets completed at the earliest and justice be given. 

After this, Irom Sharmila was detained again. 

During the lunch break, with the help of advocates, Irom Sharmila was allowed to meet her supporters and media. Members of her support groups including SSSC (Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign), MSAD and NEFIS were there. Chinglen from NEFIS talked to her rergarding the struggle and that they are all with the truth. Prof. V.P. Srivastava, Mahtab Alam and members of SSSC had talked to her in general and expressed their solidarity with her and also briefed her about the ongoing events to strengthen the voice in support of her and against AFSPA.

For SSSC, Ravi Nitesh had received a message written by Sharmila that will be included in the upcoming e-book that comprises articles and stories received to SSSC from across India in support of Irom Sharmila and in solidarity with her struggle to Repeal AFSPA. Seram Rojesh, an activist and research scholar was also present and assisted her with all translation and other support. 

Few supporters had also met her yesterday after she reached Delhi, at her guest house. They talked in general and expressed their solidarity with her. Some of them included activist and research scholar Seram Rojesh, student Activist Hidam Peter, research scholar Jyoti Thakur, Abita from MSAD and others. From SSSC, Ravi Nitesh, Devika Mittal and Pankaj Pathak had met her and expressed their solidarity with her. They were present today in the court as well. During the interaction, Irom Sharmila had shared three of her poems. 

SSSC members meet Irom Sharmila

Everyone who was around in the court, including policemen seemed sympathetic and respectful towards her. She looks little hopeful from present government if AFSPA will be repealed. 

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign in view of all these ongoing events demands the Government of India to pay immediate attention towards the Sharmila's hunger strike. SSSC demands that: 

1. Charges of 'commit to suicide' must be taken back and she must be set free. Her fast is for the life, and not against life in anyway, also it is for the society and not for any personal reason. With the interim relief, Government must order to remove charges of 309 (attempt to suicide case) from New Delhi and Manipur both places and must set her free to meet people like any normal citizen can. 

2. Also, as everyone has some expectation from change of government, SSSC appeal to the Govt of India to take concern of the plight of common people of Manipur who had also showed their trust in govt by their vote and that on the reasons of 'justice' as well as for 'welfare' and 'trust building', it must repeal AFSPA at the earliest. 

3. The Govt of India, must meet officially with Irom Sharmila to convey its initiatives in this regard.

SSSC is writing letters to Prime Minister and Home Minister for the same.

Report sent by:

Ravi Nitesh/Devika Mittal

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign

AFSPA PAR HALLA BOL: MARCH FROM MANDI HOUSE METRO STATION TO JANTAR MANTAR ON 30TH MARCH AT 1 PM

PRESS NOTE

ANTI-AFSPA MARCH FROM MANDI HOUSE METRO STATION TO JANTAR MANTAR ON 30 MAR AT 1

The draconian law of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) rules over eight states in India. With its provision of unrestrained power - shoot at sight, arrest without warrant, search and destroy public property on mere suspicion and legal impunity to the armed forces, AFSPA has led to extra-judicial killings, rapes, torture and fake encounters in these states. 

Yet, AFSPA has been existing for 60 years now. In these 60 years, there have been countless numbers of protests and demonstrations against this inhuman act. It has been 14 years now that Irom Sharmila, a Manipuri activist, has been on a hunger-strike against AFSPA but while her heroic struggle is challenging the conscience of people across the world, her own Government remains unmoved. Almost all major parties in the country have been silent about the everyday horror in these states.

But this silence needs to be broken. In the wake of the upcoming 16^th Lok Sabha elections, we intend to create a political pressure for the repeal of AFSPA. We demand the political parties to take up the issue of repealing AFSPA. In this regard, we have taken several steps. We have appealed to academicians and columnists to write about this issue in newspapers and news portals. An open letter issued by Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign and endorsed by many human rights’ activists and organizations across the country was written to political parties including AAP, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, left parties, regional parties of Jammu & Kashmir and North-east.  

Today, on 30^th March, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, AISA, AIPWA, RYA, DSF, JNUSU, NEFIS, Voices against 377, NAPM, Right to water campaign and other like-minded groups organize a joint march against AFSPA from Mandi House metro station to Jantar Mantar at 1 PM. After the march, there will be a public meeting at Jantar Mantar. 

For any other information, mail at savesharmila@gmail.com or call 9958907799, 9582129927, 8826672016, 9718204129

Election 2014 - Don't forget AFSPA

With the General Election beginning from April 7th, the country has now plunged into the election mode. Parties and party manifestos are jostling for space in the public imagination with promises of a better future for this country. But the struggle of brave Irom Sharmila and other voices from Kashmir and the North East against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, still remain out of the political akhara.  

While debates over secularism, democracy and development are gaining ground on the pre-election turf, the long standing and popular demand of peoples of Kashmir and the North East to repeal the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act is missing from the political imagination. The struggle for a mature democracy in Kashmir and the North East is intertwined with the struggle to repeal AFSPA, and keeping this outside party manifestos is ignoring the genuine demand of the people. 

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) in collaboration with other like-minded organizations and groups has decided to bring the pressing demand to repeal AFSPA into the political theater before the elections. We believe that if we can take AFSPA and its implications in the everyday life of people to the farthest corner of this country via media and awareness campaigns, it would be possible to create a bottom-up pressure on the political parties to bring the issue of repealing AFSPA into the current pre-election political discourse.

We invite you to take action:

1. Please endorse this if you agree with this, so that we can include your name in endorsements in the open letter to all political parties that we will issue and release on 18th March to all media houses.

2. If you are an activist/academician/writer, we request you to raise your voice by contributing a think piece/article (in English, Hindi or any regional languages) in any Newspaper/ Magazines. We are planning to organise a joint march and public meeting on 30th. If possible, kindly also include information about this event in the article so that people can come and show their support.

3. We are organizing a joint march against AFSPA on 30th March from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar. We invite individuals and organisations to be a part of it. Organisations in other states can join in by organising similar campaigns in their states. Please let us know by 18th March. 
To contact us, mail at savesharmila@gmail.com

To endorse, mail us your name/organization
To participate in 30th March Protest march against AFSPA, do send us organization name to be included

Endorsed by:

1. Devika Mittal,  SSSC
2. V Arun Kumar, AISA
3. Ravi Nitesh, SSSC
4. Kalita Rupam, SSSC
5. Kiran Shaheen, Writer and Anti Poverty Activist
6. Vrinda Grover, Advocate and Activist
7. Kavita Krishnan, AIPWA Secretary and CPI(ML) Politburo Member
8. Aslam Khan, RYA
9. Amar Kanwar, Filmmaker and writer
10. Prof. Nandini Sundar, Academician and Activist
11. Meena Saraswathi Seshu, General Secretary Of SANGRAM, Maharashtra
12. Prof. Nandita Narain, Delhi University
13. Nilanju Dutta, Jagori
14. Vasanth Kannabiran, Asmita Resource Center for Women, Hyderabad
15. Rituparna Borah, Queer Feminist Activist, New Delhi
16. N. Jayaram, Journalist
17. Shreya Ila Anasuya, Activist
18. Queer Feminists India
19. Reclaim The Night Delhi
20. Lesley A Esteves, Queer Activist, New Delhi
21. Shraddha Chickerur, Activist
22. Vahida Nainar, Activist
23. Dr. Sagari Ramdas, Scholar and Activist
24. Mini Mathew, Advocate
25. LABIA Queer Feminist LBT Collective, Mumbai
26. Ubaid Mushtaq, Scholar, IIT BOMBAY
27. Chhaya Datar
28. Jinee Lokaneeta
29. Rohini Hensman, Writer And Activist
30. Kaveri R. I., Hyderabad
31. Rakhi Sehgal, Hero Honda Theka Mazdoor Sangathan, Haryana
32. Juhi Jain, Feminist Activist/Writer
33. Gayatri Buragohain, Foundation For Social Transformation
34. Dheeraj Gaba, Founder Of Rooh (A Rural Organization Of Humanity)
35. Satyashodhak, Mumbai
36. Faisal Khan, Khudai Khidmatgar
37. Zaheeb Ajmal, Samar
38. Jayachandran R, The Civil Rights And Social Justice Society(CRSJS), Kerala
39. Sukla Sen, Ekta (Committee For Communal Amity), Mumbai
40. Jawad Mohammed
41. Madhu Bala, Jagori
42. Saumya Uma, Women's Research & Action Group (WRAG)
43. Ramlath Kavil, Activist
44. Aruna Burte, Solapur
45. Anuradha Kapoor, SWAYAM, Kolkata
46. Lalita Ramdas, Activist
47. Shruti Batra, Activist
48. Uma V Chandru, WSS, Bangalore
49. Prof. Dr. Vibhuti Patel, SNDT Women's University
50. Deepti, Saheli Women
51. Mohammad Imran, Activist
52. Voices Against 377
53. Dyuti, Student
54. Ridhima Mehra
55. Richa, Jan Abhiyan Sanstha, Himachal Pradesh
56. Abha , Jagori Grameen
57. Nimisha, Olakh, Vadodara
58. Kavita Panjabi
59. Wahengbam Joykumar Singh, Secretary of Human Rights Initiative, Imphal
60. Ningthoukhongjam Rajesh, North East News Network
61. Walter Fernandes, Scholar and Activist
62. Ashim jain, ICAN
63. Subhash Mohapatra, Global Human Rights Communications
64. Viren Lobo, ICAN
65. Prithvi Sharma, ICAN
66. Manzoor Dar, Social Activist, J&K
67. Rashmi Talwar, Columnist-Journalist-Writer
68. Ameeque Jamei, PCPT
69. Jyoti Punwani, Journalist Activist, Mumbai
70. Ghazanafar Abbas, Youth Activist and Journalist, Delhi
71. D.Gabriele Pennurimai Iyakkam, NAPM
72. Antony Arulraj, Hotline Delhi
73. Payoli Swatija , Samajwadi Jan Parishad
74. Rosemary Dzuvichu,Advisor,Naga Mothers Association
75. Helen Saldanha, Catholic Bishop's Conference of India
76. Sushovan Dhar,  Member of Radical Socialist
77. Pratip Nag, Member of Radical Socialist
78. Bodhisatwa  Ray, Member of Radical Socialist
79. Praditpta , Member of Radical Socialist
80. Saumendra Basu, Member of Radical Socialist
81. Mihir Bhonsale, Member of Radical Socialist
82. Kunal Chattopadhyay, Professor of Comparative Literature, Jadavpur University
83. Soma Marik, Member of Maitree, women's network in West Bengal 
84. Prof. Ritu Diwan, Mumbai University
85. Mukul Dube, writer, editor, photographer
86. Syed Saleem, Concerned Citizen
87. Abdul Azim Md
88. Ramlath Kavil

Support Extended By: (Till Now)

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, AIPWA, AISA,RYA 

For any query, contact with

Devika at 99582129927  Ravi at 9958907799 V Arun 8826672016 

Facebook Event Link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/785325398162304 

PRESS RELEASE: SSSC DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR THE KUNAN POSHPORA VICTIMS & REPEAL AFSPA

On the 23rd anniversary of the shameful Kunan Poshpora incident, SSSC demands justice for the victims. In the incident, about 100 women were raped on the same night by soldiers of the Rajputana Rifles in the Kunan and Poshpora village in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. It has been 23 years but still there is no justice. None of the guilty officers have been prosecuted.

 

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign(SSSC), a nation-wide campaign in support of Irom Sharmila and against AFSPA, demands that justice be given to the victims. SSSC believes that all those who believe in humanity and justice must raise voice against this inhuman and shameful act by the army and demand the repealing of laws that enable and protect the guilty.  

 

We feel that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that is imposed in North-East and Jammu & Kashmir and gives unrestrained powers to the armed forces equips the soldier to unleash inhumanity. This incident which was not the first and the last is a result of this. AFSPA not only grants unrestrained powers but also does not have any provision for check and transparency. So inspite of massive protest and fact finding reports, no security personal got punished by any court due to impunity provided to them under Section 7 of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act).

We consider it to be against justice and humanity. Therefore, we, hereby, condemn the incident once again and demand that:

 

• Culprits of Kunan Poshpora must be punished
• Immediate implementation of Justice Verma Recommendation to end Impunity of security personals for the cases of 'rape' 
• AFSPA must be repealed from J&K and North East

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign will write letters to all members of parliament to raise voice for Repeal AFSPA. 

Issued by

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC)

www.savesharmila.org 

www.repealafspa.blogspot.com 

Protest organised against the closure of Pathribal fake encounter case of J&K

Photo by Akhil Kumar 

On 1st February 2014, at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, voices were raised against the closure of Pathribal fake encounter case of J&K. The protest was jointly organised by Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, All India Students' Association (AISA), Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), Jamia Students' Solidarity Forum, New Socialist Initiative (NSI) and People's Campaign against Politics of Terror. The protest was supported by several other organisations and human rights' activists.

In the incident, in 2000, the army had killed five innocent civilians in the village of Pathribal. They had claimed them to be the "militants" who were responsible for the Chattisinghpora incident that had claimed the lives of 36 sikhs. However, it was establish ed by the CBI that this was a fake encounter. The "militants" were local innocent civilians. This case had gone to the Supreme Court which in 2012 had ordered the army to either allow the trial in the civilian court or conduct a court martial for the five guilty officers. The Army had opted for the latter. However, two years after, the army has decided to close the case on "lack of evidence". It has been alleged that the investigation was rigged. Another thing to be noted is that the army had opposed this case and argued that no case can be registered against its officers under the veil of AFSPA as it provides impunity and that it requires prior sanction of central government to prosecute as per Section 7 of AFSPA.

The organisers and supporters of the protest condemns this action of the army.

Ravi Nitesh, one of the organisers of the protest and a core member of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign argued that in this case, the army had overruled the CBI and the Supreme Court. Doing so, it has challenged the republic, the democracy. The army should not have an upper-hand. Being a part of the Indian department of governance, the army must respect the investigation and instructions of central agencies as well as of judiciary.

Anubhuti of JNUSU had talked about the suppression of human rights under AFSPA. Because of the legal impunity that it granted to the armed forces under AFSPA, there have been several other incidents of human rights' violation in the states of Jammu & Kashmir and Northeast India.

Activists of AISA, Shehla Rashid, V Arun Kumar and others, had also challenged AFSPA on democratic and humanitarian grounds. They argued this incident is not one of its kind. There are several reported and unreported everyday stories of human rights' violation in Jammu and Kashmir & North-east. These incidents also raise a question on the ideals of democracy.

Ameeque Jamei of People's Campaign against politics of terror had said that this and all other incidents of human rights' violation are a breach of the ideals of democracy, equality, truth and justice. The case should be re-opened.

Devika Mittal, a student and a core member of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, had argued that AFSPA-imposed violence presents a contradiction. On one hand, the Indian state lays claims on Kashmir and North-east but on the other hand, doesn't treat them as other citizens. Infact, they are not even treated as human beings.

Some notable human rights' organisations and activists had also extended their support and solidarity with the protest. Some of the names include Antony Arulraj of Hotline Delhi (a human rights' group), Human Rights' Activist Babloo Loitongbam, Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat (RTI and Social Activist, J&K), Dr. Walter Fernandes (Research Scholar and Activist), Kamayani Bali Mahabal (Sr Advocate and Activist), Kiriti Roy (Program Against Custodial Torture and Impunity), Kumar Sundaram (Activist, Co Editor-India Resists.Com), Madhuresh Kumar of National Alliance of People's Movement, Prithvi Sharma of Indian Community Activists Network, Prof. Nandini Sundar (Academician - Delhi University and activist), Prof. Ritu Diwan (Academician -University of Mumbai and Activist), Ovais Sultan Khan (Activist), Subash Mohapatra of Global Human Rights Commission, Suresh Bhat B. (Human Rights Activist), Tahir Ahmad of Mission Bhartiyam, J&K, Touseef Raina of Global Youth Foundation, Tanveer Hussain Khan (Political Activist, Srinagar, J&K), Wahid Dar - JKDYF and others.

The protest had seen participation from Kashmiris living in Delhi. Some of them like Haseeb Mustafa Alvi and Anees had also shared their experience of living under AFSPA. Haseeb had stated, "it is not surprising that this case was closed by the army".

Seram Rojesh, a research student of DU from Manipur, had also talked about the need to challenged the foundation of AFSPA. He had talked about how AFSPA has been caught in the blame game.

The organisers will also be submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister with the following demands:

*Re-open the Pathribal case

*Provide the sanction to prosecute the officers and

*Repeal AFSPA from J&K and the North-East 

SSSC Statement: We condemn the army verdict of Pathribal Fake encounter & demand its re-opening and repeal of AFSPA

It is sad that in the world's democracy, that army has once again overruled the CBI and the Supreme Court. The army has closed the court martial of its officers who were found guilty of fake encounter of Pathribal, J&K by CBI after which the Supreme Court of India had asked the Army to either provide sanction of prosecution against them or to do court martial for these officers.

The army has closed the court martial on the grounds that there was no evidence against their officers, whereas the CBI had already investigated the matter and found that it was a conspiracy where these officers had picked on innocent civilians to create an impression that the militants responsible for the Chhatisinghpora killing have been neutralized.

It was one of the few cases that had managed to go up till the Supreme Court and in which the Supreme Court accepting the CBI version had directed the army to take action in 2012. But dramatically, after two years, the army closed the court martial file on 24 Jan 2014 and therefore to an extent has overruled the CBI and even Supreme Court. It is also to be noted that how Army opposed the case and argued that no case can be registered against its officers under the veil of AFSPA as it provides impunity and that it requires prior sanction of central government to prosecute as per Section 7 of AFSPA.

Anyone who believes in justice with equality should not accept such rules and must demand to scrap AFSPA. Even in many other cases, AFSPA has proved to be a draconian law and has abetted human rights violations through fake killings, torture and rapes. With time, because of the impunity and no sanction granted by central government to prosecute an armed personal, this has became a habit and mindset of deployed security personals and consequently a danger for all those living in AFSPA-imposed areas.

We believe in truth, justice and peace for all without any discrimination. We do not support any form of violence and we believe that it is a duty of the armed personnel that they must respect every human being and follow the path of justice and truth rather. They must know that just by donning the uniform, they do not get any authoritative command of violence or killing, rather they get a responsibility to protect people and not to harm them. We also believe that being a part of the Indian department of governance, army must respect the investigation and instructions of central agencies as well as of the judiciary.

With these sentiments, we hereby demand and hope that our demands will be heard.

Our demands:
Re-open the Pathribal Case & Respect Supreme Court Instruction & CBI Findings
Provide the sanction to prosecute the officers
Repeal AFSPA from J&K and the North-East

Statement endorsed by:

Antony Arulraj, Advocacy officer, Hotline - Delhi
Asad Ashraf, Jamia Student's Solidarity Forum
Babloo Loitongbam, Human Rights Activist
Debabrata Roy Laifungbam, Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN
Devika Mittal, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign,
Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, RTI and Social Activist, J&K
Dr. Walter Fernandes, Senior Scholar and Activist
Haseeb Mustafa Alvi, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
Kamayani Bali Mahabal, Sr Advocate and Activist
Kiriti Roy, Program Against Custodial Torture and Impunity
Kumar Sundaram, Activist, Co Editor-India Resists.Com
Madhuresh Kumar, National Alliance of People's Movement
Ovais Sultan Khan, Social Activist, Delhi
Prithvi Sharma, Indian Community Activists Network
Prof. Nandini Sundar, Acdemician- Delhi University, Activist
Prof. Ritu Diwan, Academician-University of Mumbai, Activist
Ravi Nitesh, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
Sankara Narayanan, Human Rights Activist
Subash Mohapatra, Global Human Rights Commission
Suresh Bhat B., Human Rights Activist
Tahir Ahmad, Mission Bhartiyam, J&K
Tanushree Gangopadhyay, Activist, Ahemdabad,Gujrat
Tanveer Hussain Khan, Political Activist, Srinagar, J&K
V. Arun Kumar, Political Activist, Delhi