New Delhi, August 03: Concerned over the ongoing agitation in Manipur pressing for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today held a series of meetings with leaders of major political parties to evolve a consensus on how to deal with the situation in the State without compromising on national security.

Singh, who also held discussions with the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, is understood to have apprised the leaders including leader of the Opposition L K Advani, H S Surjeet (CPI-M), AB Bardhan (CPI), NDA Convenor George Fernandes, Amar Singh (SP) and Mayawati (BSP) about the current developments in the North-Eastern border State.

The Prime Minister is believed to be of the view that there should be no partisan politics vis-�-vis Manipur where large scale violence took place following the death of a 30-year old woman allegedly while in custody of Assam Rifles.

The agitationists have been demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which has been in force in the State for the last 27 years.

Assam Rifles has claimed the woman Monarama Devi who died was a member of the underground outfit PLA.

Informed sources said the Prime Minister felt that situation in Manipur should be handled in such a way that the concerns of the people there were addressed while ensuring national security requirements were not compromised.

Advani, who met the Prime Minister, later told reporters that the Government should convey clearly to the people of Manipur it was committed to ensuring justice to them and the culprits were punished.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil assisted the Prime Minister in the parleys.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh were also present at a late evening meeting attended by Gandhi.

Singh's consultations with the supporting and opposition parties came a day after the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) asked the Home Ministry to take necessary steps to restore normalcy in the trouble-torn State.

Singh had an hour-long meeting with Surjeet and Bardhan, besides discussing the issue with Amar Singh and Ram Gopal Yadav of SP and BSP chief Mayawati.

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