The National Commission for Women on Thursday accused the army of "human rights violations" in the Manorama Devi murder case in Manipur and said that the guilty should be given "exemplary punishment".
It termed the protest against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, as an "emotional outburst".
Releasing the report of the commission's September 19-21 visit to Manipur, NCW chairperson Poornima Advani said, "The killing of Manorama by the armed forces is not a point of controversy. And it is clear that guidelines pertaining to human rights were violated, one major omission being that when the Assam Rifles troops went to arrest Manorama, there was no woman police officer with them."
She, however, refused to comment on allegations that the 30-year-old Manorama was raped before being killed.
"We met the NGOs and representatives of the Apunba Lup, which is spearheading the agitation. While they all demanded repeal of the Act, they could not specify the sections they had any objections to or suggest an alternative mechanism," Advani said.
The report called for consultation between all the concerned parties -- the Centre, governments of the north-eastern states and the local people.
It also suggested that a solution could be an offer for a review of the Act resulting in some modification of nomenclature. "The Special Powers by any other name, may be easier to sell."
The commission also noted a "growing distance" between the people and those governing them, and said it was "providing a fertile ground for mischievous elements to foment antinational feelings".
