PUCL asks SC to declare AFSPA against statute

People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to declare the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) unconstitutional.

“We hope that the Apex Court will take note of the findings of various enquiry committees that the AFSPA is being misused to carry out extra-judicial killings, seriously infringing upon the right to life guaranteed under the Constitution,” said the rights organisation in a statement.

Citing the report of the judicial commission headed by Justice Santosh Hegde, the PUCL said that it “has highlighted the rampant and gross misuse of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in fake encounters and gross violation of human rights by the security forces in Manipur.” It has justified the demand for the repeal of the Act made by PUCL and other human rights organisations and activists.