MPCC questions CM's silence on AFSPA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2021: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has questioned the silence of Chief Minister N Biren on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act when many of his North East counterparts have boldly demanded repeal of the controversial Act from the whole North East region.

A new office building of Sangaiprou Naharol Club was inaugurated today.

The office building was constructed from Patsoi AC MLA AK Mirabai's Local Area Development Fund.

Speaking at the occasion, MPCC president N Loken remarked it is a collective misfortune for the people of Manipur that Chief Minister N Biren has been maintaining stoic silence when many of his counterparts have openly demanded repeal of AFSPA from the North East region.

In the wake of the killing of 14 civilians by Assam Rifles troops in Mon district of Nagaland, all the people of the North East region and many Chief Ministers have been clamouring for repeal of AFSPA.

However, Chief Minister N Biren who is also in charge of Home Department has been refraining from passing any comment, Loken said.

"When the CSOs and the people of Manipur rose up as one and staged a sustained protest demonstration demanding repeal of AFSPA following the murder of Thangjam Manorama in 2004, seven MLAs including MLA N Biren who is now the Chief Minister and myself served an ultimatum on the then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi categorically stating we would resign from the membership of Manipur Legislative Assembly if the dreaded AFSPA was not repealed by August 13 of the same year", the MPCC president recalled.

Even as the Central Government categorically instructed the State Government not to repeal AFSPA, the then Ibobi-Government repealed the infamous Act from seven Assembly segments located within the Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) area on August 12, 2004 as the Government came under heavy pressure from the seven MLAs, he said.

Recalling that N Biren was one of the signatories of the ultimatum, Loken remarked it is a misfortune for the people of Manipur that Biren chooses to remain silent when he, as Chief Minister of the State, has the power to repeal AFSPA and many of his North East counterparts have been boldly demanding repeal of the infamous Act from the whole North East region.

AK Mirabai claimed that Patsoi AC has seen many positive changes during the last 10 years in such sectors as road infrastructure, power supply, water supply etc.

She then asserted that many people and localities have been facing shortage of water due to the incumbent Government's failure to take up necessary policies and programmes in time.

She went on to question if any intending candidate came forward and extended any help when the people of Patsoi AC were reeling under the Covid-19 pandemic.

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