Imphal, September 04: In a late night development agitation spearhead Working Committee of the Apunba Lup has put on hold till tomorrow morning the State Government's invitation to meet and discuss with the visiting Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on the prevailing Manipur situation in the backdrop of large scale agitation to demand complete revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

The decision to hold back commitment for the meeting is due to absence of conducive atmosphere as proposed by the Apunba Lup, said a Committee statement.

Despite assurances by the State authorities through the Editors' Forum Manipur on cessation of operations to arrest agitators with effect from yesterday evening to create a congenial atmosphere for talks State police personnel arrested general secretary of AMSU M Chourjit yesterday night, alleged the Lup.

The AMSU leader was released after a severe beating, it charged.

Moreover, contrary to the Govt's assurance president of Manipur Forward Youth Front Sapamcha Kangleipal was arrested while on his way to attend a meeting convened by the Apunba Lup, it added decrying the double standard vision of the State authorities.

The despicable act not only belittles the endeavor of the Editors' Forum to resolve the burning issue amicably but is also akin to playing truant with the sentiment of the people, said the statement.

Earlier, the Lap had released a statement responding positively to the State Government's invitation to meet Shivraj Patil tomorrow while informing of continuing with the already scheduled agitation programmes.

A press statement of the Working Committee had also observed that due to delay in the visit of the Union Minister two lives have been claimed in connection with agitations while several hundred suffered injuries to demand revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 from Manipur in the last many days.

However, the meeting with the visiting delegate should not be construed as lowering down the guard towards ending the ongoing agitation as the strong Apunba Lup team would closely observe/monitor the sincerity of the Centre in solving the problem as well as possible outcome of the talks which should be generally acceptable to the people.

In case tomorrow's meeting fail to make any substantial headway in consonance with the aspiration of the people no further contact would be established with the Government and the ongoing agitation more intensified till the demands are conceded, the Lup had expressed.

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