Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, August 30:
Stepping up the demand for the removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and punishment to the killers of Thangjam Manorama Devi and Saichang village pastor Jamkholet Khongsai, opposition leaders of the State submitted a memorandum each to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil at New Delhi today.
In a telephonic conversation with this reporter from New Delhi, opposition leader M Nillachandra of the Federal Party of Manipur informed that the opposition leaders besides submitting memorandum to the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patel this evening also had a lengthy discussion on the demands of the people of Manipur for the removal of AFSPA and punishment to the guilty Assam Rifles personnel.
During the course of the meeting which lasted for about 45 minutes, the opposition members including MLAs I Hemochandra and L Ibomcha clearly informed the Home Minister that nothing short of complete withdrawal of the repressive/dreaded act from the State would suffice the aspiration of the people, added Nillachandra.
Informing that a list containing all the atrocities committed in the State by the Central security forces under the AFSPA was also submitted to the Union Home Minister during the meeting, Nillachandra said that the opposition leaders also pressed the Central leader to book the guilty AR personnel immediately and punish them in accordance with the law of the land.
The opposition leaders also informed that inefficiency and stubborn attitude of the SPF Govt were the main cause for the continuing agitation in the State, added Nillachandra.
The FPM MLA maintained that the Union Home Minister after giving a patient hearing to the complaints of the opposition legislators positively replied that no Assam Rifles personnel will be spared if found guilty in the heinous crime and further contended that Central Government would subsequently have to repeal the act from Manipur if the situation in the State really deserves it.
He however said that the Central Govt would have to first assess the situation in the State very carefully before taking any definite decision on the matter.
During the meeting, MLA Ibomcha also appealed to the Union Home Minister to scrap off the draconian act from the State as Central leaders have already passed a resolution for repealing the equally dreaded POTA.
Meanwhile, the opposition leaders who were scheduled to meet the Prime Minister this evening had to cancel the engagement as Manmohan Singh is stated to be unwell.
However the opposition leaders submitted a memorandum to the PM highlighting demands of the people.
The opposition leaders are most likely to call on the Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow to discuss on demands of the people of Manipur.