Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 07:
The Prime Minister has expressed his desire to continue the talks with the people of Manipur and introduce an Act in the State which will be more humane and at the same time adequately address the National security concerns, said Prof Arambam Lokendra.
Speaking to media persons at the Press Club immediately after their arrival from New Delhi this afternoon, Prof Arambam Lokendra informed that the Apunba Lup's delegation met the Prime Minister on Nov 1 and the Union Home Minister on Nov 4 and held lengthy discussion on the people's demand for complete removal of AFSPA from the State.
He further said that the decision to hold talks with the Prime Minister was taken after the Central leaders expressed their desire to hold talks directly with the representatives of the people so that a meaningful solution could be worked out.
Informing that a memorandum containing fifteen points was also submitted to the Prime Minister during the meeting, Lokendra said that the delegation members were able to highlight the numerous problems faced by the people under the dreaded AFSPA during the one and half hour long meeting.
After a patient hearing, the Prime Minister expressed his desire to introduce a new Act that would meet the needs of National security and also be more humane in nature, said Lokendra adding that the Prime Minister also assured to introduce the new Act within the shortest possible time and fulfill the demands of the people.
The Prime Minister however declined to give the exact time frame for introducing the new law, said Lokendra.
Lokendra also said that it was necessary to constitute an "expert committee" comprising of sociologists, historians and economists to hold further talks with the Central Govt on AFSPA and added that the Apunba Lup leaders on its part should do everything within its means for forming the committee within shortest possible time.
Elaborating on the meeting with the Union Home Minister, Prof Lokendro said that the union Minister also assured to provide all possible cooperation in converting the PM's assurances into concrete actions.
Commenting on the just concluded talk, Prof Lokendro said that the talk was very positive and was a huge step taken by the Apunba Lup leaders in finding the elusive solution to the State's problem.