Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, July 31:
With protests continuing in Manipur over the alleged custodial killing of a woman, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today met Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and is believed to have discussed the withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
This was his second meeting with Mukherjee in five days on the tense situation in the state.
Singh, who flew in here last night along with Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing after he was urgently summoned by the Central leadership, is also likely to hold meetings with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Shivraj Patil, party sources said.
He had met Gandhi and Patil here earlier this week and the Centre is believed to have made it clear that it was upto the State to decide whether to withdraw the controversial AFSPA or not.
Several social organizations have demanded withdrawal of AFSPA from the state in the wake of the killing of Th Manorama Devi allegedly by Assam Rifles jawans on July 11.