Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Manipur crisis

Sir, — The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, now under fire in Manipur, is a coercive weapon. It seems we have not learnt any lesson from our mistakes in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir where the presence of the Army for protracted periods yielded negative returns. Social alienation and economic deprivation are the root causes for the growing discontent among the people of the Northeast. Manipur, like rest of the region, has been systematically neglected and the crisis in the State is a manifestation of the same.

A.U.S. Lal,
Berhampur, Orissa

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Sir, — The protest of the Manipuris against the AFSPA should not be construed as an act against the Constitution.

It is the voice of the discontented, oppressed and exploited which is the result of the misuse of the Act for decades.

Hemchand Kshetrimayum,
Lucknow

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Sir, — The happenings in Manipur are disturbing the conscience of the country. The Prime Minister should rush to the State and establish a channel of communication with the people. He is the only leader of stature who can rebuild the confidence of the Manipuris.

N.S. Venkataraman,

Chennai

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