Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 30:
Following the rising tension and continuing public agitation in the State, Chief Minister O Ibobi again left for New Delhi today to hold further talks with the Central leaders on issues pertaining to revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, disclosed a reliable source.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister Phungzathang Tonsing.
Sources further said that the Chief Minister during his last visit to New Delhi had informed the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee about the State Govt's decision to lift the Disturb Area Act from the State and had even informed them about the State Ministers' decision to resign if the Central leaders fail to give a positive response to the State Govt's proposal.
Referring to the proposals made by the State Govt, the source said that the State Govt had requested for lifting the Disturbed Area Act on the Agartala model by lifting the Act only from the Imphal and Greater Imphal areas or by lifting it from one district each from the valley and the hills.
Mention may be made here that tension had increased considerably following the Chief Minister's complete silence on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act issue after his return from New Delhi.
A senior Minister of the SPF Govt while talking to The Sangai Express said that the SPF Ministers have to either resign or the State Cabinet has to take a definite decision for removing the Act if the Chief Minister returns again empty handed after meeting the Central leaders at New Delhi.