Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, August 17:
Holding the Centre responsible for the "mess" in Manipur, CPI today said it may be difficult to contain the "tremendous anger" of the people demanding withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
"The problems have arisen only because of the Centre.
I had met senior Ministers immediately after violence erupted in the State a month ago and asked the Act be withdrawn, but no action was taken," CPI general secretary AB Bardhan told PTI here.
CPI is a partner in the coalition Government in Manipur headed by O Ibobi Singh.
Bardhan alleged that the Centre "seemed to have no policy" on how to deal with the "mess" in the State where agitation has been continuing demanding withdrawal of the Act since the alleged custodial killing of a woman in Imphal on July 11.Though the Act was withdrawn by the State Government from Imphal municipal area, the agitation continued with protestors demanding that it be withdrawn from the entire State.
"It was necessary right at the beginning (of the agitation) to isolate the insurgent' groups.
Now the tremendous anger of the people is hard to contain," Bardhan said.
The CPI leader said even imposing President's Rule was likely to have little effect.
"What can they do, shoot people on the streets," he asked.
Two persons have died during the agitation in Manipur.