58 years of Militarization and Victimization of Vulnerable Groups in North East India

Abstract

Over the last 58 years, the innocent civilians of North East India have become the deliberate targets of violence in the region. To eliminate the armed opposition groups, the Government imposed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 to tackle the situation. Unfortunately, the armed forces deployed in the region have been alleged of flagrant human rights violations. Over the years, these allegations have only tended to increase its impact on the life and living of the people of the region. Those specifically affected are the vulnerable groups including women and children. Rapes, sexual abuses, disappearances, and many such violations have devastated the mental psyche and physical well-being and dehumanized the lives of the people of the region. The present paper focuses on the contours of AFSPA, 1958, its operation in the region, and the consequent victimization of the vulnerable groups as documented through various studies and reports.

Keywords: Militarization, Victimization, Victims, Vulnerable Groups, Armed Conflict