Extension of 'Disturbed Area' decried
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 02 2013 :
Reacting to the recent State Cabinet decision to extend Disturbed Area Status in Manipur excluding Imphal Municipality Area for another one year with effect from December 1, Dr Th Suresh, former Director of Health Services, who has been petitioning in the law court against prolonged imposition of AFSPA, has strongly condemned the decision, saying that the State Government has not taken into account the various protests undertaken by the civil societies and the appeal for repeal of the draconian Act by intellectuals and international bodies.
In a statement made available to the press today, Dr Suresh asserted that the decision of the State Cabinet is in clear violation of ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi's public declaration at an election rally on February 5, 2007 where she promised to repeal AFSPA from the entire State of Manipur as well as the recommendations made by Jeevan Reddy Commission in 2005 and 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission in 2007 for repealing the Act.
''As the Writ Petition for repeal of AFSPA is in the Supreme Court, it would have been better if the Cabinet had the courtesy to wait for the final decision.
However, this was not to be.
The Cabinet's decision is to be condemned by all,'' Dr Suresh added in his statement.