New Delhi, November 16: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hand over the Kangla Fort in Imphal, which now houses the Assam Rifles, to the Manipur Government during his first visit to the north-eastern State later this week.

Manipur Governor SS Sidhu, who called on the Prime Minister ahead of his two-day visit beginning November 20, said the situation in Manipur, which witnessed widespread violent protests following the alleged custodial killing of a woman by Assam Rifles jawans in July, was now normal.

After taking possession of the fort in the heart of Imphal, the State Government would convert it into a heritage site, the Governor said.

The Apunba Lup, an amalgam of 32 Manipuri outfits demanding withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, has been pressing for withdrawal of the Assam Rifles garrison from the historic fort.

Emerging from a separate 30-minute meeting with Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Sidhu told reporters here that a delegation of Apunba Lup would meet the Prime Minister during his stay in Imphal.

Singh is also expected to lay the foundation stone of a railway line in the State.

The Prime Minister had assured a delegation of the Apunba Lup, which had called on him earlier this month, that the Government would consider replacing the controversial Act with a more "humane" law that would seek to address the concerns of national security and as well as rights of citizens.

The Manipur Government has already withdrawn the Act from Imphal municipal areas.

The Centre also decided to set up an expert group to look into all aspects of the Act, including implications of its withdrawal on other States.

The group would consist of Parliamentarians, jurists and people with political background.

SPG team arrives: A team of the Special Protection Group arrived at Imphal today ahead of the Prime Minister's scheduled visit on November 20 to assess the security arrange- ments being taken up for the high profile visit.

The two Additional DGPs of the State Police Department will be in charge of the over all security measures.

An official source informed The Sangai Express that two personnel of the SPG arrived at Imphal today to over see the security arrangements.

Another team of the SPG is scheduled to arrive at Imphal tomorrow, said the source adding that the two Additional DGPs will supervise security arrangements.

ADG (LO) JC Dabas assisted by four DIGs will over see the security arrangements at Imphal while Addl DG Y Joykumar (Trg) assisted by IGP Shahid Ahmed will supervise the security work at Jiribam.

Meanwhile an all political party meeting chaired by the Chief Minister was held today to make sure that a fitting welcome is accorded when the PM arrives.

The meeting decided to appeal to the public to welcome the Prime Minister and accord him a warm reception.

Representatives of almost all the political parties attended the meeting.

A meeting of State Govt officials was also held in connection with the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister.

In the meantime, Convenor and Education Minister, Francis Ngajokpa has stated that all the political parties have agreed to welcome the Prime Minister.

Appealing to the public to welcome the Prime Minister, Ngajokpa asked all organisations, NGOs and individuals to come forward and attend the public meeting scheduled to be held at Kangla on November 20 at 3 pm.

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