Imphal, July 17: It is totally upto the State Government to decide whether to retain or lift Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958 from Manipur as the Central Govt has no objection in scrapping the Act from the State, asserted Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Manipur Press Club this evening, Dr Meinya said that he had already informed about the prevailing chaotic scenario in the State following the brutal killing of Th Manorama Devi by personnel of 17 Assam Rifles on July 11 during a one to one meeting with the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patel.

Conveying development on the meeting with the Union Home Minister, Dr Meinya said that Shivraj Patil had not only expressed deep resentment and anguish over the killing but had also instructed the State authorities to convene a high level meeting consisting of the CM for the removal of the AFSPA from the State as the Central Govt has no objection in lifting the act from the State.

The Union Home Minister, however, said that the State Govt will face various administration inconveniences if the Act is totally removed from the State, added the MP.

Informing that he had been sent to the State from New Delhi to hold talks with the State Govt regarding removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act from the State, Dr Meinya said that he would also be attending an all political party meeting tomorrow at 9 am to deliberate on the Thangjam Manorama case and on matters regarding removal of AFSPA from the State.

Mention may be made here that a high level meeting consisting of the Chief Minister, senior SPF Cabinet Minister and MP Dr Meinya was also held today immediately after his arrival from New Delhi.

Answering to a query from the mediapersons, MP Meinya said that article III of the AFSPA can be easily scrapped off if the State Cabinet approves for its removal.

He also informed that he would be leaving for New Delhi tomorrow to inform the Central leaders pertaining to the prevailing situation in Manipur and also the resolution taken during the all political party meeting tomorrow.

When queried how long would it take to remove the draconian law from the State, Dr Meinya said that it will take some time to remove the Act as it has to go through many processes but hastened to add that the State Cabinet is doing everything within its means to scrap the act within the shortest possible time.

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