JD-U demands 60 lawmakers to lift 'disturbed area' status
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, November 18 2014:
Manipur unit of Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on Tuesday demanded that the 60 lawmakers take a decision in the upcoming winter session of the state assembly to lift the "disturbed area" status.
Incidents of brutality against Manipur and its people are taking place for many years under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, AFSPA invoked by the disturbed area status, which can be removed by the 60 lawmakers, state JD-U president M Tombi Singh told reporters at the party office in Babupara.
He demanded that the MLAs take a decision together in the upcoming winter session of the state assembly to lift the disturbed area status so that the need for imposition of the controversial AFSPA is ended in Manipur.
Referring to anti-AFSPA campaigner Irom Sharmila who is now on fast for 14 years demanding repeal of the Act, the JD-U leader condemned the Government for detaining the human rights activist charging her with attempted suicide.
Bringing up the issue of the Sangai Festival 2014 boycott call given by the Joint Committee of Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), Tombi appealed to the committee to cancel the agitation to be begun tomorrow.
He said the All Political Party ILP Committee (APPILPC) and Manipur Government have been working hand in hand by holding a series of meetings to find out the feasibility for implementing Inner Line Permit or a similar law.
JCILPS has announced to boycott the Sangai Festival if the state Government is unable to introduce ILP system in Manipur by November 18 .
Tombi said APPILPC has completed 90 percent of its work and planned to submit a draft report to the Government soon.