Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, December 22:
Home Minister Shivraj Patil today told the Rajya Sabha that there were indications of an improvement in law and order situation in Manipur.
"It (the situation) seems to be improving now.
Slowly the situation seems to be improving and not deteriorating," Patil said while replying to supplementaries during Question Hour.
In reply to a question, he said there were divergent views on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act with some groups in the State favouring its withdrawal and some in favour of its continuance.
Patil said during his interaction with about 40 groups in Manipur "different people said different things".
"Some people said it (the Act) should be withdrawn.
Some said Assam Rifles should also be withdrawn," he said adding there were some who said it should not be withdrawn for maintaining law and order.
Patil said a committee constituted on November 19 will go into the issue of the Act and the Government will consider its views and take a decision accordingly.
The committee is headed by former Supreme Court Judge BP Jeevan Reddy and will have four members.
Patil clarified that he did not talk to any armed insurgent group during his visit to Manipur.
The committee would review provisions of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 as amended in 1972 and advise whether to amend these to bring them in consonance with obligations of the Government towards protection of human rights of to replace the Act by a more humane Act.
The committee may interact with individuals, representatives of social groups, State Governments of the North-Eastern region and concerned agencies of Central Government as deemed necessary, Patil said.
He said the committee would submit its report within a period of six months.
The Home Minister said some people in the border State were taking recourse to arms to instill fear among people while some were misguiding public.
There were also those who expressed doubts about the law and order situation in the State, he said.
Patil said there was no such situation like "the State is burning" and there were indications of an improvement in the law and order situation in Manipur.
The Minister said it would be difficult to pay compensation to all people in the State who have complained of losses due to recent disturbances.
Minister of State for Home S.Reghupathy said there were 23 militant groups in the State, out of which 7 have been declared unlawful.