Missing Civil Liberties

Ranjan Baruah

In 2007, we celebrated 60 years of our independence- a reason of celebration for every Indian. But the question that comes to some our mind is Are We really free? Do we have freedom? The constitution guarantees life and safety to every citizen of the country. There should be equality and liberty for all. But think of North East India and one we see civil liberties is missing in many parts. No doubt there are people who are creating violence but that does not mean any civilian need to pay the price. Controversial act like Armed Forces Special Power Act of 1958 is still yet to be repealed. The AFSPA was first enacted for Nagaland, imposed on Assam and Manipur and subsequently extended to all the seven states of north east India. There were only one or two militant or banned groups when this law was imposed but now there are many banned groups which show that it has created more problems then solving the conflicts. In most the time Section 144 is imposed. Any person traveling from one place to another in North East will come across numerous checking by forces and it’s difficult to travel at night too. The constitution gives you freedom to travel to places but being in north east you can not travel to all places. People in North East celebrated 60 years of Independence Day though there was boycott called by some banned outfit. Now it depends upon our democratic government what they are going to do when it is a matter of bringing peace in North East. The government must take concrete decision either to talk or start operation against members of banned groups. No democratic nation has right to take away the freedom of its citizen or harassing civilians in the name of maintaining peace and harmony. North East shall prosper once the civil liberties are here so that people can travel, move to different places in north east and take part in more entrepreneurial activities. The market and open trade will bring economic development to region for which civil liberties are must. Let there be a vibrant civil society but not a society where we see army personnel all the time. Last but not least if AFSPA is not repealed, then one can say our democracy as farce instead of a fact.

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