Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 20:
A four member Review Committee instituted by the Centre to study the implications of the Armed Forces Special Powers� Act 1958 in the North East region arrived at Imphal today for the second time to conduct public hearings at two hill districts on April 21 and 23.The review panel set up in the wake of the strong agitation in Manipur to demand the repeal of AFSPA landed at Tulihal Airport at around 3 pm but without its Chairman, Justice (Retd) BP Jeevan Reddy.
The other members of the panel who arrived today are Sanjoy Hazarika (journalist), Dr SP Nakade, Lt Gen (Retd) VR Raghavan and PP Srivastav.
The team will conduct the hearing at Senapati on April 21 and at Churachandpur on April 23.According to informed sources, Personal Assistant of Srivastav, Devbrataba Das also accompanied the team.
The panel members will stay at Hotel Imphal from where they will commute to Senapati and Churachandpur daily till the public hearing is over.
Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure smooth conduct of the public hearing on AFSPA 1958 starting at Senapati district headquarters from tomorrow.
While security set-up at the district headquarters has been beefed up extensively similar arrangements have also been made along the Imphal-Senapati route where the panel members is scheduled to proceed for the 10am public hearing, said Senapati district SP Viraj Rai.
Road opening party (ROP) comprising of the State police, CRPF and AR personnel would be deployed along the NH-39 till T Khullen village from 8 am onwards, he said.
Vijay further stated that vehicular movement through Senapati Bazar would be regulated by traffic police besides stationing medical personnel at important locations.
Security from Imphal to Kanglatongbi will be arranged by the Imphal West police, said its SP S Ibocha today.
Informed sources also conveyed that representatives of the SDSA, NPO, NPMHR and other social bodies are scheduled to air their view-points on AFSPA to the review panel during the public hearing.
After the Senapati schedule, the panel would head for the April 23 hearing at the community hall in CCpur district Hqs to be conducted from 9 till 11 am.
In connection with the visit of the review panel a meeting chaired by CCpur DC and attended by representatives of various organisations was held yesterday at the DC�s office chamber wherein steps to ensure smooth conduct of the public hearing and related security arrangements were discussed thoroughly.
Mention may be made that the panel members were earlier suppose to conduct public hearing at Senapati on march 23 which did not, however, materialise owing of inclement weather.