Imphal, January 03: The Army will not be in a position to tackle insurgency in the country without the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), General Officer Commanding -in-Chief (Eastern Command) Lt Gen Arvind Sharma today said.

"I am afraid that without the AFSPA, the Army will not be able to function in insurgency situations.

Without the Act, we will be a reactive force only.

The militants will always get an upper hand,�� Lt Gen Sharma said at his first press conference as GOC-in-C.The AFSPA is now in force in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, two districts of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Tripura, he said, adding, "this is a right act ...

absolutely essential".

Asked to comment on reports that Kolkata was fast becoming a transit point for militant outfits, he said West Bengal had neither been declared a Disturbed Area, nor was AFSPA in force anywhere in the state.

"This is one major aspect that the State Government must look into.

However, our intelligence personnel are working with the State Government in monitoring the situation and exchanging information," he said.

On the question of providing rehabilitation packages for surrendered militants in the region, Sharma said there was a need to standardise such packages and talks were on with State Governments.

"However, it must also be kept in mind that some State Governments are strapped for cash".

On the Manorama issue in Manipur, Sharma said the matter now rested with the Gauhati High Court.

He alleged much of the media coverage of the incident was �one-sided�.

Asked to comment on incidents of molestation and rape by Army personnel in some States of the North-East, he said, "in a large army like ours, such incidents are likely to occur.

After all, we come from the same stock of society.

But we make sure those who are on the wrong side are punished".

He said during pre-induction training, personnel were lectured on behavioural and psychological aspects.

"In a class, one or two fail despite being taught the same curriculum by the same teacher.

This aspect is also taken care of as a matter of routine." When asked to evaluate the activities of the ISI in the eastern sector, Sharma said it was looking eastwards for some years �after facing the law of diminishing returns� in the western sector following relentless operation by the armed forces.

"In the east, the ISI is using forces of countries whose interests are inimical to us".

The ULFA, he said, was under sustained pressure owing to operations by the armed forces and it was now up to the Centre to find the means to bring them to the mainstream.

Our Staff Reporter adds: The people of Manipur had risen as one following the recovery of the bullet riddled body of Th Manorama after she was picked up by Assam Rifles personnel in May this year.

The nude protest at Kangla and the self immolation of Pebam Chittaranjan had given the fillip to the people to raise the demand for the repeal of the controversial AFSPA.

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