Imphal, November 11: Singing a tune in favour of the continued imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the State, GOC-in-C of Eastern Command Lt General Arvind Sharma who visited the Manipur today, said that the lifting of the Act from the Municipal areas of Imphal has literally kept the hands of the security personnel tied and added that this has encouraged militants to intensify their activities.

Speaking to reporters today evening at the IG AR South Hqs at Mantripukhri, the Army officer said that ever since AFSPA was lifted from the Municipal areas of Imphal, the militants have intensified their activities in the capital city.

One reason why violence has increased in the 7 Assembly segments of Imphal could be because of the suspension of operation in these areas by the Army and Assam Rifles following the revocation of AFSPA, he reasoned.

Touching on the achievements of the security personnel in curbing the activities of militant groups, the Lt General said that operations were launched in Chandel district in April last year to enable the district administration to conduct polls for the Lok Sabha election.

The election was held after the success of the operation, he added.

Churachandpur which was under the control of different militant groups was sanitised after an operation was launched in September last year, said the GOC-in-C and added that by July this year the militants were pushed back and for the first time in many years, the tri-colour was hoisted at Henglep and Singhat on August 15 this year.

The Army and the Assam Rifles also assisted the State Government in opening the highways during the economic blockade launched by ANSAM, recalled the Army officer and added that an operation was launched at Bekra (South of Jiribam), to establish civil control and provide security along NH-53.Despite the success story detailed, Arvind Sharma admitted that militants have been evading the security force moving from one place to the other.

Since AFSPA has been lifted, Imphal area has become a safe haven for the militants.

Answering queries from the media persons, the Lt General said that at the moment there is a cease fire pact between the security force and 7 Kuki armed groups and two Zomi militant groups.

The Indian Government is keeping the doors wide open for any meaningful dialogue with other militant groups, he asserted.

Though there might be some communication gap between the Centre and the State Government, the Army always consults the State before any major policy is adopted, he explained.

Giving his men a clean chit, the Lt General said that there was no question of any human rights violation during the operation at Jiribam recently.

The charges of human rights violations are wrong, he asserted and added that if report of any such violation is received the matter is always referred to the Commander of 3 Corps to probe the allegations.

To another question, the GOC-in-C said that there is no plan as such to launch a joint CI Ops with the Myanmarese Army.

However a system of information sharing has been put in place, he added.

On the allegations that the NSCN (IM) has been flouting the ceasefire ground rules and extorting money, the GOC-in-C said that extortion is illegal whether is violates the ceasefire norms or not.

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