Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 16:
Questioning the stand of the �Delhi team� that recently met the Prime Minister over the demand to revoke Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, co-ordinator of the Working Committee of the Apunba Lup, Y Devadutta said that it is now known to all that the team that went to Delhi had nothing to do with the Lup.
In a statement, Y Devadutta questioned whether the �Delhi team� had side tracked the one line demand to revoke the Act and agreed to the proposal of the Prime Minister that a more humane Act will replace AFSPA.
This has confused the people and adding to the confusion is the people's convention called to discuss the response of the Centre to the demand of the people, said the statement and raised a number of questions for the people to ponder over.
The demand for the complete revocation of AFSPA received the mandate of the people, claimed Devadutta and recalled the sacrifices of Pebam Chittaranjan and Memita and the self immolation bid by MAFYF members in front of the CM's gate, the nude protest in front of Kangla and the protestors who had to face rubber bullets and the wrath of the security force.
All these sacrifices, all the agitations were meant for the complete revocation of the AFSPA, said the statement adding that this is the mandate of the people.
The question of studying the Centre's response does not arise at all as it will depend on the decision taken by the Govt.If Delhi sincerely understands the sentiments of the people, then it will come up with an acceptable solution.
There is no point in feigning ignorance over this point, added the co-ordinator.
The people of Manipur have suffered for over 20 years under AFSPA which was imposed under the pretext of curbing militancy, said the statement and questioned what humane Act the Prime Minister is talking about.
Devadutta further question what has prompted the Centre to suddenly act so understanding while it has been turning a deaf ear to the democratic demands of the people for so long.
What are the provisions of AFSPA that will be reviewed further asked the statement.