Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, October 31:
A ten-member delegation of Apunba Lup, an apex body of 32 social organizations spearheading the agitation in Manipur for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, arrived here this evening to hold talks with the Central leadership.
The delegation, led by Arambam Lokendra, arrived in the national capital for the first time after the outbreak of protests in the state in July, this year, for withdrawal of AFSPA.
The delegation will also hold talks with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil before meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The State Govt had withdrawn cases against 36 people of the amalgam to enable them to come here for talks.
During their talks with Central leaders, the Apunba Lup would emphasize on withdrawal of AFSPA, one of their main demands.
They are also likely to take up the issue of "slow progress" in the investigation into the alleged rape-cum-killing of Manorama Devi by the 17th battalion of Assam Rifles.
The Apunba Lup team would also take up cases of alleged atrocities by security forces against innocents "in the garb of the AFSPA".
The delegation, which comprises of elder leaders of Apunba Lup, had held preliminary talks with state Governor SS Sidhu.