Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 08:
With the people of Manipur rising as one to demand the complete revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur in the wake of the custodial killing of Th Manorama by Assam Rifles personnel on July 11, the Centre has seriously started studying the option of reviewing the Act which gives sweeping powers to the security personnel.
Speaking to The Sangai Express a highly placed source said that the Centre is unwilling to lift the said Act from the entire State but is keen to review it and modify certain sections and clauses of the AFSPA.
Even the State Government has fallen in line with the views of the Centre and is all for a review of the Act.
The focus of the proposed review and amendment of the Act is Section 4 (a) of the AFSPA, said the source.
Section 4 (a) of the said Act reads thus- Any Commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or any other person of equivalent rank in the armed forces may, in a disturbed area - if he is of the opinion that it is necessary so to do for the maintenance of public order, after giving due warning as he may consider necessary fire upon or otherwise use force even to the causing of death against any person who is acting in contravention of any law or order for the time being in force in the disturbed area prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons or the carrying of weapons or of things capable of being used as weapons or of fire arms, ammunition or explosive substance.
This section may be reviewed and amended, said the source adding that an officer of not less than the rank of a Major or a Captain may be asked to lead the troops in any operation.
Though the Centre has shown its keen interest on reviewing the Act, so far a Committee to review the Act is yet to be constituted, said the source.
A decision to this effect can only be taken by the Cabinet at the Centre.
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil who recently visited the State to over see the prevailing situation was asked by the State Government to study the feasibility of reviewing the Act which gives unbridled powers to the security personnel.
The same opinion was also aired to the Minister from different quarters during his short visit, added the source.
The Apunba Lup, which is currently spearheading the demand for the complete revocation of the AFSPA from the State, has however made it clear that it will not compromise on its demand for the complete withdrawal of the Act from Manipur.
A talk held between the Lup representatives and the Union Home Minister on September 5 had fallen through and even today, the stir against the Act is going on in full steam.