Public sentiment aired to Delhi: CM
CM tight lipped after meeting PM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 04:
Categorically stating that the SPF Government understands and emphatises with the sentiments of the people, Chief Minister O Ibobi today issued a statement assuring that his Govt is trying its best to revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur.
Addressing the people, the Chief Minister said that during his recent visit to New Delhi he met the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and gave a detailed account of the wishes and aspirations of the people.
The Central leaders have taken note of the people's wishes, he added.
Explaining the position of his Govt, the Chief Minister said that the issue was discussed threadbare with the Centre because he did not want the Nagaland experience to be repeated here.
Ibobi recalled that the Cabinet of Nagaland had twice earlier revoked the Disturbed Area Act from the State, but each time, the Centre stepped in and re-imposed the same again.
The rampant human rights abuse under the Act, and its redundancy in tackling the insurgency movement in the State was made clear to the Centre, said the CM and added that Delhi was also told that the time to review its imposition in Manipur has come.
It is unfortunate that despite the best efforts made by the Chief Minister, some organizations should spew anti-national statements through the press, added the statement.
Reacting to the statement by a voluntary organization which called for snapping all ties with mainland India but suspending flight services and surface transport, the Chief Minister said such stand of some organizations will send out the wrong signal when the State Government is trying its best to get the Act revoked.
It is also equally unfortunate that some organizations had raised the cry for a civil war if the said Act is not lifted at this juncture, the CM noted.