Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 04:
The All Political Parties Forum is all set to impress upon the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers- Act 1958- from the remaining 53 assembly constituencies of Manipur when the Central Minister arrives at Imphal tomorrow.
Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club today, the Forum convenor Dr L Chandramani said presidents of the seven constituent members of the Forum along with 20 opposition legislators would call on the Union Minister and demand revocation of the outdated Act from the entire State.
Contending that due to prolong continuation of the repressive act people of Manipur have been deprived of rights enjoyable by citizens of a democratic country, the former Deputy.
Chief Minister expressed that as disturbed area status has been lifted from seven assembly segments efforts should also be made to expand the process as desired by the people.
Dr Chandramani, who is also the president of Federal Party of Manipur informed of re-submitting a memorandum to Shivraj Patil similar to those already submitted to the Union Minister by the Forum members M Nillachandra, I Hemochandra and L Ibomcha when the trio were at New Delhi recently.
The three opposition legislators had submitted memoranda to the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, AICC President Sonia Gandhi and other political party leaders highlighting people's demand for complete revocation of AFSPA.
Dr Chandramani also stated that the Forum members would hold talks with the visiting Central leaders with emphasis on six central points among which include initiation by the Centre to solve the ongoing agitation, punishment of security personnel involved in the custodial killing of Thangjam Manprama Devi, declaration of unilateral ceasefire with all insurgent groups to pave the way for political dialogue and lifting of disturbed area tag from the entire State within a definite time frame.
Outrightly rejecting Government claim of the current movement as being carried out under the influence of underground outfits, the FPM leader also expressed that promulgation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 has resulted in the commoners suffering tremendous mental and physical stress rather than solve the insurgency problem.
The Union Home Minister would also be urged to measure and deal with the people's movement and insurgency problem with different yardsticks, he added.
A detailed report containing lists of casualties at the hands of security force personnel since 1961 would also be submitted to the Central Minister to press for repealing AFSPA, he said.
FPM's legislature wing leader M Nillachandra conveyed to the mediapersons of the Union Minister giving a patient hearing and assuring all possible assistance to solve the issues currently besetting the State people when the three opposition delegates recently called on him.
The Home Minister was also appraised on laxity of State Government to convince agitation leaders as one of many factors that had subsequently led to the agitation snowballing into such a magnitude as witnessed currently, Nillachandra asserted.
He also informed of the Union Minister assuring to look into all the perspectives including punishment of Assam Rifles personnel, if found guilty, even if the process consumes some precious time.
Terming the opposition delegates' New Delhi sojourn as widely successful MLA I Hemochandra claimed that failure of State Government to prevail upon Central leaders on gravity of atrocities committed to people of Manipur due to excess power granted to security force personnel could be convincingly placed to the Centre.