THE ELECTION campaign in Manipur has virtually become a debate: AFSPA or No AFSPA? The Congress government at Manipur is determined not to remove AFSPA at any condition. It is removed from Imphal City. But it is very difficult to scrape it out at the other parts of the state. There is no doubt about the draconian aspects of AFSPA, which is at present, extends to Jammu and Kashmir , Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

The Act legalizes the violation of human rights in the worst way possible. It gives powers to armed forces to fire upon even for killing any person who is found acting in contravention of any law against  assembly or possession of deadly weapons. People can be arrested without a warrant and army personnel can enter and search any premise  in order to make arrests of the suspected persons.

It is not strange that the Trinamool Congress, which has very recently organized movements in protest of the violation of human rights in Nandigram, Singur ,Keshpur and Netai and consequently came to power by ousting the Left Front government, wanted to boost its political image by being very much vocal against AFSPA although it is still a part of the UPA coalition at the Centre. Mamata Banerjee appreciated the fasting of Sharmila and promised the voters  to solve the problems in the state in the manner of Junglemahal.

Nobody knows whether she knows the real situation  of Manipur where she is contesting in 47 seats in the 60-member Assembly. The grievances of the people of the North East are to be reckoned .At the same time it must be remembered that in many areas of the North East Independence Day is still not observed except in the army controlled area. Optimism is good but too much of it may bounce back. Protests are very much loud in  Kashmir valley also. Human rights activists are vocal. But this is not the only criterion for AFSFA. Sometimes situation becomes so turbulent that even AFSFA seems inadequate. Indian Government itself is considering  partial withdrawal of the act. Grievances are simmering in other states including Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir valley.

A more humane Act can replace the present Act. Mamata Banerjee could give some thought to this side while she campaigns against AFSFA. But to cut the guerdon knot without much probe into the crisis, is anything but statesmanship. If blasts, killings and extortion continue, there should be serious deliberation over it. Development package is not the only solution. Junglemahal and Manipur are not one thing. Neither are they similar. Human rights are violated no less when the common people are killed by the separatists, insurgence and terrorists. Militant groups have banned Congress and other national party workers in Manipur.

Organising movement in West Bengal and in Manipur or other states dominated by the insurgents has much difference. Those who regard the Armed Forces and jawans as enemy, they pose a threat to the country itself. Being an ally, Mamata cannot for the sake of populist politics go against the UPA government without severing relations with it. Her  sweet words and promises of bigger economic package may improve situation to some extent, but not normalize the situation in North East states . She has demanded that all problems are solved in Darjeeling and Jungle Mahal. But things are not that easy to solve. Too much of confidence sometimes may claim a heavy toll.