Poor Fisher Men used as Human shield in Manipur

I wanted to keep this blog away from politics and any disheartening posts but sometimes I have to break the rules. I have also only tried to posts good things whenever I post about Manipur, even though we have many problems both internal as well as external.

It is common knowledge to whoever know a little about Manipur that Human Rights Violations are quite commonplace in Manipur. Because of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), it is also commonplace that innocent people are picked up at random, the general public stopped for frisking like they do in the international airport, custodial death1, death2, and a general fear for the Army( who actually are being payrolled by us, taxpayers, to protect us). I am only complaining againts the Army because they happen to be on the right side of law. On our side of the law.

And we don't want to get caught between the barrels of two guns. Dark Humour of Catch-22 at play.

All said, I always thought it was normal. That it was normal to hear gun shots, and bomb blast. That it was normal to be stopped on the roads at random by Army men or Police Commandoes and get roughed up. That it was normal to have seen cross fire in front of my eyes twice by the time I was 17. I also thought Combing operations were normal, that the army could barge into our house any time of the day or night without a search warrant. And that the shutter at the market will be down by 6:30 pm and we sleep by 7:30.

But I learnt, when I went outside the state that it was not at all Normal. Nothing that was happening was normal. That in other parts of India, you don't get to see army men every 5 Kilometers, and that the Police actually need an arrest warrant to arrest someone. Gosh! and I have seen people shouting at Police men. God help him.
Few months back, a person was shot dead by the police in manipur when he shouted back at the police who abused him for overtaking the police vehicle.[more, more2]

But still, since they are there fighting Manipuri militants, I always thought it was out fate. And also that It was normal. And so I never posts such articles on my blog. But today was different.
I didn't even post the fact that there have been mini Jallian-Wala-Baghs in Manipur[read]. After all India was under the British rule, and it was quite natural that some genes stayed back.

But I couldn't stop myself when I read that Innocent, poor and helpless Fishermen were being used as Human Shield by the army in their operation againts the Millitants. When did Saddam Hussain ever ruled India? The Indian Army is suppose to protect the People, and I would have understood if Unlawfull forces used innocent victims as Human shields against the army But the very Army using Innocent citizens as Human Shield was Outrageous.
Who do we turn to?
It will breed doubts in the minds of thousands of Manipuris' whether we really are considered even Indians?

More on Human shield:

The Imphal Free Press IMPHAL, Jan 2: Residents and meira paibi womenfolk of the Ningthoukhong area staged a sit-in demonstration today at Ningthoukhong bazar to protest against the using of villagers, including a local councillor, as human shields by the security forces during the recent operations in the Ningthoukhong Kha Moirangkhong Leikai on December 27 morning.

Charging that security forces commandeered several local boats during the operations, and that the local menfolk were forcibly used as oarsmen, the protestors say their agitation will continue until the government gives a firm assurance against this kind of thing happening again in the future. [More]

More News:

The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 02: Ningthoukhong Gopinath Leikai Meira Paibi Apunba Lup organised a Wakat Meepham at Ningthoukhong Bazar today highlighting the plight of the fishermen who dare not go fishing at Loktak lake after the December 27 operation launched by 9 Assam Rifles during which civilians were allegedly used as human shields.

Around 200 Meira paibis
took part in the Wakat Meepham demanding that the Government take up necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the fishermen.[More]

Notice that Meira Paibis are spearheading the whole thing.


But of course these are not news enough for the main stream media. Please Link to this post if you feel that this news needs attention. It might save a Life.