Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 26:
SPF Legislature Party has convened a high level meeting at 4 pm tomorrow to chalk out plans for meeting any challenges that are likely to arise in the State following the expiry of the resignation deadline set by the Apunba Lup to the State's three MPs and 59 MLAs.
Talking to media-persons at Irabot Bhavan today after returning from New Delhi yesterday, SPF Legislature Party convenor Dr M Nara (MLA) informed that the meeting besides focusing on the resignation threat issued by the Working Committee of Apunba Lup, will also deliberate on the prevailing law and order situation in the State in the back drop of the deadline served to the MLAs by the Apunba Lup.
Dr Nara also stated that the resignation threat issued to the MLAs/Ministers was nothing but an attempt by the Apuba Lup to intensify the current agitation for the removal of AFSPA from the State.
Stating that it is not an easy task to resign after being elected for a five year term, Dr Nara said that the situation has become very confusing for the MLAs/Ministers as there has been different opinion among the public with one group calling for the resignation of the leaders with the some other groups strongly opposing it.
The State Govt has also taken up all necessary security measures and security has been beefed up for the safety of the MLAs/Ministers since the completion of the deadline served by the Apunba Lup, said Dr Nara adding that additional arrangement for the protection of the MLAs/Ministers have also been provided by the voters of their respective constituencies.
Referring to the demand of the Opposition members for convening an Assembly session to discuss the people's demand for the removal of AFSPA, Dr Nara appealed to the Opposition members not to take political mileage out of the people's movement and added that Assembly session will be called at an appropriate time and the demands of the people to revoke AFSPA will be discussed in minutely.
Elaborating on his recent visit to New Delhi, Dr Nara informed that he met the leaders of the Left Front as well as the members of the CPI Secretariat and briefed them thoroughly on the prevailing situation in the State and about the role being played by the State CPI unit in the current agitation.
During his meeting with the Central leaders, he urged the Central leaders not think of re-imposing the disturb area status in the municipal areas of the State and also apprised them about the negative impact it would have in the State if it was re-imposed.
The Central leaders responded very positively and assured that the Central Govt will respect the decision of the State Govt regarding the partial lifting of AFSPA from the State, he added.
Commenting on his meeting with the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patel at New Delhi, Nara said that the Union Minister has assured to visit the State on September 5 to have a first hand account of the law and order condition in the State.
The Minister also clarified that all misunderstanding between the State Govt and the Central Govt on the AFSPA issue have been ironed out through meaningful talks, added Nara.
Nara also clarified to the Union Minister that current agitation in Manipur was not in any way instigated or supported by any underground outfit and further informed the Union Minister that the agitation was the outcome of the people's outburst against the atrocities committed by the security forces under the AFSPA since the last forty years.