New Delhi, December 19: A team of the Political Party Forum Against AFSPA Manipur called on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at his office, New Delhi today at around 11.30 am today, informed a press release issued by the Forum.

The meeting with the Prime Minister was attended by CPI (M) Parliamentary leader Basudev Archarya (MP), CPI leader Gurudas Das Gupta, CPI Secretary D Raja, CPI (M) MP Sudhakar and convenor of Manipur Political Forum K Saratkumar, CPI leader Sutinkumar, L Ibohal of RJD, S Jayenta of MPP, A Biren of MPP, ex-Minister Ksh Jibon, A Biren and Loli Adani of NCP.

A memorandum was also submitted to the Prime Minister urging for repeal of AFSPA 1958.After perusing the memorandum, the Prime Minister said that the Act could be repealed only when there is a consensus among all the political parties. Nevertheless, Dr Manmohan conveyed his willingness to discuss the matter in the Parliament.

The PM disclosed that more than Rs 500 crores were extorted annually by different groups along the two National Highways which passed through the State.

He further informed that some MLAs and Ministers of the State were against scrapping of the Act.

At the end of the half hour meeting, the Forum reiterated their appeal to repeal the Act as recommended by the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee.