Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 30:
The SPF Cabinet which met today evening has decided to extend the Disturbed Area Act, under which the Armed Forces Special Powers Act becomes operative, for another year all over the State barring the Imphal Municipal areas.
Informing this to media persons, Information Minister and SPF spokesman, Gaikhangam today said that the decision to extend the DAA and subsequently AFSPA for a period of another year was taken after the Cabinet minutely discussed the law and order situation in the State.
The Cabinet took note of the point that the law and order situation is far from satisfactory and hence took the decision to extend AFSPA for another year, said Gaikhangam.
A review meeting is held every six moths to study whether AFSPA should continue or not, added the Information Minister.
On the other hand, the Cabinet also decided to extend the revocation of AFSPA from the Imphal Municipal areas for another year.
There are seven Assembly segments in the Imphal Municipal areas.
The Cabinet also decided to rope in the service of the Manipur Public Service Commission to conduct the test for recruitment of MCS, MPS officers, Manipur Forest Service, Manipur Finance Service, SDC and Assistant Engineers.
The Cabinet took the decision to extend the imposition of DAA and AFSPA for another year even as the Review Committee set up to study the Act is getting ready to submit its report to the Centre.The Review Committee was formed after Manipur erupted to demand the total repeal of the Act following the alleged custodial death of Th Manorama in July last year.