State unit BJP pledges to scrap AFSPA
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 15 2014 :
Asserting that BJP Manipur Pradesh re-mains committed to repeal AFSPA 1958 from Manipur, State unit BJP president Th Chaoba asserted that in case all the 60 MLAs oppose further extension of the pro-military Act then AFSPA will eventual-ly be scrapped from the State.
Welcoming posers raised in the editorial comment of The Sangai Express about BJP's stance on AFSPA, Chaoba today explained to newspersons at the Nityaipat Chuthek office of the party that there is no change from State unit BJP's 2012 election manifesto that neither AFSPA should remain in the State nor would there be any compromise on the territorial integrity of Manipur.
Charging successive Congress Government in the State of extending AFSPA throug-hout Manipur since the Act's enforcement in Tamenglong district in 1961, he said during the Congress rule in the 1980s with Rishang Keishing as the Chief Minister the entire State was declared to be 'disturbed area' .
The brutal killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi after she was picked up from home by security forces and Irom chanu Sharmila fasting for over 12 years demanding total repeal of AFSPA are more than enough testimonies that the Act has no place in a democratic system of governance, said the State BJP chief.
Continuing his tirade against the Congress party, Chaoba recalled that inspite of the Prime Minister Dr Man-mohan Singh, speaking at a public function in Kangla, terming AFSPA as 'draconian law' and the five-member Jeevan Reddy Commission recommending revision of the Act, the Congress-led UPA Government had been ignoring the panel's recommen- dation.
Regardless of the Army Chief's recent comment that AFSPA should continue in areas of its enforcement, BJP will take all possible measures to ensure the Act is scrapped from Manipur, Chaoba maintained while explaining that inspite of Parliamentary consent mandatory for repealing AFSPA the State legislators relentlessly opposing extension of 'disturb area' status will ultimately ensure repealing of AFSPA from manipur.
Contending that pressure mounted by legislators from Municipal area assembly constituencies led to the lifting of 'disturb area' tag from seven assembly segments, he suggested that the other MLAs too adopt similar stand for early repealing of the pro-military law.
Chaoba also conveyed BJP's unstinted support to Sharmila Kanba Lup's campaign for scrapping AFSPA.
Former MLA Meinam Bhorot, who was also present at the media briefing proclaimed that BJP is firmly committed to repealing AFSPA from Manipur.