Has India forgotten Irom Sharmila?

[majesticpankaj]

Again its not structural problem but electoral. India is not called world's largest democracy because of our leaders but because of our system. I am only against you accusing the system rather than our leaders.

the system has so many loopholes because of which we are in such a deep sh!t... the term is "Reforms" to get rid of this.

 

[acetophenol]

irom sharmilla is a great example to our politicians.

we must take active steps to bring up her issue

 

[great]

the system has so many loopholes because of which we are in such a deep sh!t... the term is "Reforms" to get rid of this.

All we need is legal reforms. Would you believe that there hasn't been single amendment to legal structure since it has been deployed?

Our constitution inherently believes that people are good and they would do what is better to the society irrespective of the power given to them. This is inherently socialistic. Civil administrators are given too much power believing they would work to the betterment of society. They failed to realize that people are not altruistic but are opportunistic. This economics 101. Everyone works to their betterment. We need to have checks and balances to make it a collective betterment.

Right now all we need to do is implement a carrot and stick method. Reward people for working honestly and punish them for dishonesty. Like giving a policeman a percentage of fine they collect from wrong doers. Incentivise good behavior. Results will come automatically.

 

[desioptimist]

AFSPA is being supported by Armed forces. There is not enough political will to call the bluff of generals.

 

[EjazR]

Nobody is telling to repeal AFSPA ?? the question is of apathy towards a lady who is fighting against Government to atleast listen to her ?? why can't Government hold discussion with her when she is engaging in dialogue with other people including separatists (who openly demands for separation). she is engaging in a non violent movement like Gandhiji.. as she doesn't threatened the central government existence , nobody cares about her..

A very sad story pankaj. This is an example of how our "soundbite" and "corporate" media focuses on only what the upper middle class feels is important.

Here is a lady that has been on a REAL fast (no food no water no lemon juice) unlike some other people for TEN years. She is force fed through a tube and still her story does not even register in the media.

She is protesting against AFSPA but why is the real question. This is not the first time we are hearing about AFSPA being used as a cover for atrocities being committed by some armed forces. Why isn't the govt. atleast trying to show half the seriousness of negotiating with her like they did with Baba Ramdev or Anna hazare. Even if AFSPA is not removed, atleast show some concern and show that we consider Manipur as part of India.

 

[OrionHunter]

Also I don't think our present system lacks merit but we need elect right individuals to power to implement the policies. If you keep electing corrupt individuals at the same time expecting justice from them is just moronic. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself.

I've heard this line a gazillion times! Electing the right people? Where are they? Three in this constituency - one has 14 cases of murder and 3 of rape, the second worthy has 3 cases of attempted murder, 2 of extortion and 2 of corruption and the third bozo is a 'dada' of the area with six cases of burglary (bank robberies) and 5 cases of extortion, 2 of attempted murder and land grabbing!

Now you tell me, who do I vote for? These are the stalwarts who are supposed to be the 'Law Makers' in Parliament!! Or do I skip my fundamental right to vote? Well, we are all caught in this cleft stick. And the better guys don't want to join politics. So, is the presidential form of government our only salvation? Probably!

 

[OrionHunter]

AFSPA is being supported by Armed forces. There is not enough political will to call the bluff of generals.

Bluff of Generals? The problem with people like you is that you have never ever operated in a counter insurgency environment and don't know what it is like to be ambushed. Have you ever faced a volley of bullets from an AK-47 rifle? No! Because if you had, then you wouldn't be spouting such nonsense sitting in the cool climes of U.K.

So before passing judgment, put on your battle fatigues, sling a 40 kg ruck sack on your back, an AK 47 and head out into the dense jungles of the North East for a 7 day long range patrol. Then you come back and talk!

 

[Fireurimagination]

Bluff of Generals? The problem with people like you is that you have never ever operated in a counter insurgency environment and don't know what it is like to be ambushed. Have you ever faced a volley of bullets from an AK-47 rifle? No! Because if you had, then you wouldn't be spouting such nonsense sitting in the cool climes of U.K.

So before passing judgment, put on your battle fatigues, sling a 40 kg ruck sack on your back, an AK 47 and head out into the dense jungles of the North East for a 7 day long range patrol. Then you come back and talk!

To add to that it's hard to believe that both central and the state government didn't try to break her fast or something. She has even featured in international magazines etc thus she is a huge embarrassment to both the governments but probably she doesn't budge from her demand of total removal of AFSPA and if you want to have the army fighting insurgency in NE you need to have AFSPA

 

[Tripathy]

Yesterday, I saw a news clip about her and it was tough preventing wetting my eyes.

It is not that Govt. has not opened talk with her. Even Govt. is working on some modalities to make the AFSPA more humane.

We have to accept that in a society where we are being governed, the right of violence always stays with the government. This particular aspect of evil necessity is there to prevent unimaginable level of violence that can happen when:

• Individuals take over as ruler and indulge in autocracy

or

• Individuals in society don't need to take orders from others as our fore fathers were living in jungles

In a democracy the govt. has to be cruel at times. But this cruelty is far more acceptable than the other two ways of society.

 

[harpoon]

AFSPA is being supported by Armed forces. There is not enough political will to call the bluff of generals.

With all the cacophony surrounding the AFSPA I am reminded of the last scene from 'Few Good Men' when Jack Nickolson teaches Tom Cruise a thing or two about the concept and reality of military. Everybody wants military or armed forces to come to their rescue when in distress, but they are not ready to pay the price for this ie AFSPA, military check points, constant checking and gun totting soldiers outside their home.

I have huge respect for my armed forces but I am also aware of the fact that they are not saints and however disciplined they might be excesses are bound to happen. So the best way out of this situation is never create a situation in the first place that needs large scale security forces deployment and the implementation of laws like AFSPA.

When it comes to Manipur, AFSPA can be removed tomorrow if Government of Manipur passes a resolution demanding for its repeal. Please don't blame the generals and soldiers for the incompetence of the civilian administration to provide a reasonable good law and order situation so that the Army can return to its barracks.

 

[punit]

I feel bad for the lady .. but she must know that AFSPA is least of the evils affecting NE India. also GOvt should meet her ASAP and try to convince her with clear logic and reasons.

 

[great]

I've heard this line a gazillion times! Electing the right people? Where are they? Three in this constituency - one has 14 cases of murder and 3 of rape, the second worthy has 3 cases of attempted murder, 2 of extortion and 2 of corruption and the third bozo is a 'dada' of the area with six cases of burglary (bank robberies) and 5 cases of extortion, 2 of attempted murder and land grabbing!

Now you tell me, who do I vote for? These are the stalwarts who are supposed to be the 'Law Makers' in Parliament!! Or do I skip my fundamental right to vote? Well, we are all caught in this cleft stick. And the better guys don't want to join politics. So, is the presidential form of government our only salvation? Probably!

Ha.. eternal answer of not having the right choice to elect. Please. There are politicians who are genuinely good but you would never recognize them because they don't come with flashy tag of representing a national party. Alas, they won't able to spend enough to supply liquor to your ilk for your vote. But ya keep blaming the system. If you are so miffed with our leaders, why not do something about it. You can be our leader, who's stopping you?

 

[majesticpankaj]

I need to ask one question... why we need to have AFSPA for so long ??? one of the friend said that cruelty is allowed to some extent .. but if u see the period of cruelty .. why we failed and still failing to maintain law and order in a state like Manipur ? why we need to have AFSPA for so long ? Manipur is one of the most literate state in India, they are not illiterate so anyone can fool them. and still we are not able to sort out the issue?? GOI just using force to control states without the wishes of majority of people ... using brutal force... One can understand that this kind of law can be for a short period of time but why we need to have that law for so long.. GOI has failed miserably...

for GOD's sake she is Indian

 

[Mabs]

Again its not structural problem but electoral. India is not called world's largest democracy because of our leaders but because of our system. I am only against you accusing the system rather than our leaders.

The electoral process is a structure/mechanism to elect public representatives my man. If he electoral process is producing the kind of leaders that are not working for the country, then yes there is a problem with the system. Same is true for Pakistan, we have a huge number of bogus votes and an electoral system which is relatively easy to manipulate, which is turn produces treacherous leaders.

The blame is not on the leaders but on the system which gives leeway for the wrong people to come forward. The leaders that you or we blame are a product of this system. I know it is difficult to look within and accept the wrong but sometimes introspection is the only way to save yourself from oblivion.

 

[Mabs]

AFSPA could be India's Achilles' Heel. It's like what we are doing in the tribal belt. Without really understanding and addressing the socio-economic factors which push people towards militancy, we are just hell bent upon doing a military operation there which is alienating the people even more and making them more and more anti-state. The AFSPA should not be there anyway, if it is then just as VP Malik said, there is something seriously wrong with the socio-economic fabric of the region which needs to be fixed ASAP. AFSPA or military operations are a temporary fix, the real solution has and always comes through sitting down with the people and listening to them. People might say that whoever is against the AFSPA is against the Indian Armed Forces, and thus not a patriotic Indian but I think those people who want the repulsion of the AFSPA and a dialogue process to be initiated are the real well-wishers of India.