Imphal, July 25: Pressure for lifting the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 from Manipur has been mounting on the State Government in the wake of the public outcry against the extra-judicial killing of Th Manorama by 17 Assam Rifles personnel with many social organizations demanding its revocation immediately even as relay hunger strikes and sit-in-protest demonstration continued to be held at different parts of the State.

Families of the Involuntary Disappeared's Association, Manipur (FIDAM) has categorically stated that the deadline of August 15 for taking a final decision on whether the Act should be lifted or not is just a ploy to sideline the issue.

There is no point for waiting till August 15 for taking a decision on lifting of the Act, which has earned the sobriquet of 'draconian' in view of its rampant misuse by the security personnel, FIDAM president K Ranjit observed in a statement.

Chief Minister O Ibobi should not stand against the wishes of the people, as it would not bring any good to him, Ranjit said, while drawing the attention of the Chief Minister to the mass public agitation against the prolonged imposition of the Act in Manipur and the fast unto death agitation being launched by Irom Chanu Sharmila for the last four years.

Castigating Union Home Minister of State for Home Affairs, Prakash Jaiswal for having gone back on his words, Ranjit questioned the rationale behind the move being made by the Centre for revoking POTA while insisting on continuance of AFSPA in Manipur and in other parts of the North Eastern region.

Such partisan and indiscriminating attitude of the Centre will only invite the wrath of the people even more, he remarked.

He also came out strongly against the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers for using all repressive measures to quell movements launched by the people against the extra-judicial killing of Th Manorama by 17 Assam Rifles personnel.

Extending its support to the ongoing movement, students' union of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal today said that it would not remain quiet to the atrocities committed by security personnel under the protective shield of Armed Forces Special Power Act and demanded its revocation immediately.

The students' union also strongly condemned performance of last rites of Manorama by the State Government against the wishes of the people.

It also extended donated an amount of Rs 500 each to the Relief Committee being opened at RIMS Hospital and JN Hospital towards meeting the monetary requirement in treating people who suffered casualties during the course of the ongoing movement.

Thangmeiband United Club has also announced its decision of intensifying the ongoing agitation for removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur.

Condemning use of force against the protestors, it has also decided to boycott all the MLAs and councillors from Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency if they remain maintaining stoic silence over the demand of the people.

Joint Action Committee, Uripok has also taken a resolute stand for intensifying the ongoing movement for repealing Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur.

Demanding scraping of Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur, Working Committee of the Apunba Lup, Imphal has flayed the Congress led SPF Government for empowering its security forces to use rubber bullets and tear gas against the agitators.

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