Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 31:
A delegation of Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) comprising party president M He- manta and MLA Vivek Raj Wangkhem today called on Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil at his New Delhi residence and apprised the later of the ongoing civil uprising in Manipur against prolong imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, party spokesman and general secretary Kh Devabrata Singh informed in a statement.
During the 35-minute long meeting, Hemanta and Vivek Raj insisted upon the Union Home Minister for taking up steps immediately to redress grievances of Manipuri people who are demanding punishment of guilty AR personnel involved in the custodial killing of Manorama, investigating into the killing of Pastor of Saichang Village Jamkholet Khongsai by suspected security personnel, evacuation of Assam Rifles from Kangla Fort and immediate removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from the State for bringing back normalcy in Manipur, Devabrata informed.
The Union Home Minister while expressing his unhappiness over the Manorama incident also assured that fitting punishment would be given to those AR personnel involved in her custodial death, so that such unfortunate incident do not repeat again, party spokesman said.
The Union Home Minister further told the delegation that firm instruction had already been issued for shifting of Assam Rifles from Kangla Fort within a time frame as assured by Union Minister of State for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal during the later�s recent visit to Imphal.
With regard to the crucial demand for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur, the Union Home Minister said that he would look into the matter only when peace and tranquility returns in the State, Devabrata informed, while reiterating party�s stand on removal of the repressive Act.