Source: The Sangai Express
Kolkata, July 20:
As Manipur continues to be rocked by protests against the custodial death of Manorama Devi, a top brass of the Army today said the 30 - year old woman was a member of the dreaded People�s Liberation Army and involved in a series of Improvised Explosive Device blasts.
"She was a confirmed member of the PLA and involved in a series of IED blasts resulting in the injury of many civilians and members of the security forces," Goc-in-C, Eastern Command Lt Gen JS Varma told newsmen on the sidelines of the �Van Mahotsav� function of the Army here.
Describing Manorama�s death as �unfortunate,� Varma, however, said that there was no proof as yet that she had died as a result of torture.
"We are yet to receive the post-mortem report from civilian authorities.
But I can assure you, prompt action will be taken against anybody found guilty", Varma said.
In reply to a question, he ruled out withdrawal of the Army or the Assam Rifles personnel from Manipur in the wake of the protests, saying the accusations were not against those two organisations as a whole, but against some individuals.
On the demand by protesters in Manipur for repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Varma said that it was essential in containing militancy and militants.
"The Act is not imposed by the Army, but by politicians when things go beyond their control.