Source: The Sangai Express
Shillong, July 22:
Assam Rifles today reconfirmed that Th Manorama Devi, whose death rocked Manipur since July 11, had links with a militant outfit.
Addressing a press conference after returning from trouble-torn Manipur, Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh said the force had got �undisputed evidence� of Th Manorama Devi�s link with a militant organisation.
The AR was �tracking down� her movement for quite sometime, the general said adding the allegation against his jawans of raping Manorama after her arrest was now �put to rest� following the post-mortem report.
The DGAR, however, assured that the jawans were well conversant in human rights and always adhered to such laws.
The General said the Armed Forces (special Powers) Act 1985, which was promulgated as per the �request� of the State Government, could only be withdrawn by the State Government.
He said powers available under the act was prescribed in the statute.
"These are, however, circumscribed by the guidelines and procedures laid down by the courts.
These will be clearly and freshly enunciated in order to create awareness among the operational personnel of the security forces��, he said.
Lt Gen Singh said more importantly, counter-insurgency operations undertaken by the security forces would henceforth involve the police.
In case the action was against any suspected women insurgents, women police personnel would �invariably� be associated, he said.