New Delhi, November 01: The Centre today agreed to consider the proposal for replacing the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which triggered widespread violent agitation in Manipur, with a more "humane" law that will seek to address the concerns of national security and as well as rights of citizen.

"The Prime Minister will consider the idea of replacing the AFSPA with a more humane law that will address both the concerns of national security and the rights of the citizen," a spokesman of the Prime Minister said in a statement after an hour-long meeting with Apunba Lup, an amalgam of organizations spearheading the agitation in the State.

The Prime Minister met the delegation of leaders from Manipur today who suggested to him that AFSPA be repealed, the spokesman said and added Singh assured them that the Government would examine all aspects of their demand and requested them to continue their discussion with Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

The spokesman said the Prime Minister would visit Manipur later this month.

He said the Prime Minister told the delegation that "his hope, prayer and belief is that it will be possible to work together with the people of Manipur to write a new chapter in the history of the State".

Arambam Lokendra, who led the delegation, told reporters that they only pressed for their one-line demand of withdrawal of AFSPA.

"We will decide about it....," he added when asked whether they had any reservation in meeting the Home Minister.

"After all, if POTA can be repealed, then why not this Act which has only brought miseries to the people in the State for the last 46 years," Lokendra said.

The delegation leader said that the Prime Minister had advised them to continue the process of dialogue with the Home Minister and "thrash out the differences".

"We will decide about it....," he added.

Asked whether they had any reservation in meeting Patil, he said "well, we know his views as our people have already met him in Manipur.

And we need to have the mandate of the people of the State for the meeting as well".

About their meeting with the PM, Lokendra said "he has given a patient hearing and was not dismissive about anything".

Lokendra said he had made it clear that no amendments in the AFSPA were acceptable to the people of the State.

"It has to be reviewed and replaced," he added.

"The State has its reason to seek removal of AFSPA.

We want to move forward.

You cannot throttle the democratic rights of the people in the name of National security," he added.

He expressed happiness that everyone was working towards the success of these talks and thanked Manipur Governor SS Sidhu for releasing at least 36 of the amalgam�s leaders.

As a goodwill gesture and to create a congenial atmosphere ahead of the talks, Apunba Lup has suspended two of its programmes - launched against teaching of Hindi and joining of NCC, he added.

Meanwhile in a statement issued to the press today, the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup today said, "Prime Minister is committed to replace AFSPA by a more humane Act".

During the meeting the special advisor to the Prime Minister NK Narayanan was present, said the statement adding that the Apunba Lup team was led by Arambam Lokendra.

Special Secretary in the Government of Manipur RK Nimai was also present at the meeting.

The Prime Minister also assured the team that he will visit Manipur later this month to get a first hand account of the situation here, said the statement.

Expressing his deep concern over the death of Th Manorama, the Prime Minister assured the team that fitting action will be taken up against the guilty personnel, said the statement.

A 15 point memorandum was also submitted to the Prime Minister by the team.

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