Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 05:
Unconvinced by the declaration of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to facilitate removal of Disturbed Area Act within August 15, former Chief Minister RK Dorendra demanded that Ibobi and his Councils of Minister announce their clear cut decision on the issue.
Talking to reporters at the Old Lambulane office of the State unit Bharatiya Janata Party today the BJP Legislature Wing leader questioned why the Chief Minister is so reluctant to lift the repressive Act from Manipur as desired by the masses.
Instead of taking a firm decision and exercising the powers conferred on the Chief Minister to repeal AFSPA, frequent flights to New Delhi to consult Central leaders on the State issue is meaningless, said the BJP MLA.
Asserting that it would be appropriate for Ibobi to step down as Chief Minister if the Act cannot be repealed, Dorendra also maintained that a capable replacement should be scouted from among the Congress legislators.
Contending that the indifference of the UPA Government to the burning problem of Manipur and double standard role enacted by leaders of the Congress led Central Govt will only backfire, the veteran politician also refuted allegations levelled upon him by the State Congress unit and some organizations on introducing AFSPA in Manipur.
Explaining, he recalled that the Act was promulgated at Tamenglong district in 1961 after it was declared , a& a Disturbed Area and later extended throughout the whole of the then Manipur West district on September 28, 1970 by the erstwhile Chief Commissioner as underground movement gained momentum.
Subsequently on October 8, 1970 the then Governor extended promulgation of AFSPA in the entire Sadar Hills while during the tenure of Yangmaso Shaiza as CM Disturbed Area status covered the then South district areas from May 30, 1972 and at Imphal East sub-division areas a year later, Dorendra further elaborated.
As the influence and activities of the hill based insurgent elements spread to the valley area and pressure mounted by several hill area leaders on why Disturbed Area status has not been applied to the valley districts the then Governor of Manipur issued strong instruction to extend the Act when he was the Chief Minister, contended Dorendra while adding that the Act had to be introduced in September 8, 1980 at Central Imphal district.