Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, September 09:
Coming down heavily on those who branded his visit to North-East as "failure", Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said those who were propagating such a view were "not helping" the cause of peace in Manipur.
"What do you mean by talks....we had never identified a group as such....we met officials, women organizations, academicians and those participating in the movement...There is no question of failure or success," Patil told PTI here.
He said those making such view points were "not helping the cause" of peace in the region.
Patil said these were methods adopted by some who did not want things to improve in the State but warned that "we should not fall prey to that".
Sometimes one got a feeling that this was being done to create "wrong impression" among people in other parts of the country, he said.
Describing the visit as "useful and helpful", the Home Minister said it was a "positive step" which will help in improving the situation and understanding.
About his meeting with leaders of Apunba Lup, the organization spearheading the agitation for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), Patil said "they were very nice and they did understand our point".
"What they (leaders) were saying was balanced.
There was no extreme side taken by them vis-�-vis- law and order, Government or administration," the Home Minister said adding "they were very balanced in their views".
Asked about some "critical remarks" made by these leaders after the meeting, he said "I don't think they said anything like that....somebody has invented them�.
Left to take up State issue: Left parties today listed several issues they considered "priority items" for the Government to take up for the benefit of the common man and said they would also discuss the situation prevailing in Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir with the ruling UPA coalition later this month.
"We have listed several issues including urgent political ones like the situation in Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir.
These two issues have to be seriously discussed at the Coordination Committee (between left parties and the UPA Government)", CPI general secretary AB Bardhan told reporters after an hour-long meeting of the four Left parties here.
Asked about the Government's response on FDI in insurance and telecom sectors and other issues raised at the previous meeting of the Committee, RSP leader Abani Roy said "the Government has assured us active consideration (of these issues).
We are still awaiting their response".
Our Staff Reporter adds: Reacting to the accusations that the recent visit of Union Minister Shivraj Patil to the State was a failure, SPF spokesman Gaikhangam today said that the allegation is false and without any foundation.
Gaikhangam said that the SPF Govt has kept its door wide open for talks with the Apunba Lup which is spearheading the present demand to revoke the Armed Forces Special Power Act from the State in the wake of the custodial killing of Th Manorama by personnel of 17 Assam Rifles.
Other organizations are also welcome to any dialogue so that normalcy can be restored said the spokesman adding that the State Govt is ready to extend help to any organization which wants to initiate dialogue with the Centre.