Considering national security, repeal of AFSPA needs talks: BJP
After RSS stand on AFSPA, BJP blows hot and cold
Source: The Sangai Express / Press Trust of India

Guwahati, January 10 2014 : The BJP today said repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur should be done through proper dialogue and keeping in mind the national security.

"We all know that terrorist activities are going on in J&K.They come and kill people.

The armed forces go to those places to protect the people.

Same is the case in Manipur," BJP's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here.

When asked about the BJP's stand regarding repeal of the AFSPA, he did not give a direct answer.

"For repealing the Act, there is a need to talk with the people.

We have to consider it through dialogue keeping in mind the national security," Prasad said.

The Act has been enforced in Manipur for more than two decades, being extended annually.

In November 2013, the AFSPA was extended for another year in insurgency-hit Manipur, barring seven Assembly constituencies within Imphal Municipal area.

Social activist Irom Chanu Sharmila has been on fast unto death for more than 13 years demanding repeal of the Act after killing of 10 civilians by Assam Rifles near Imphal airport on November 2, 2000 .

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Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad and Gopinath Munde addressing the media

Our Staff Reporter adds : The BJP's stand on AFSPA comes after a functionary of the RSS Arun Kumar reportedly addressed a media conference wherein he was quoted as stating that AFSPA should not be lifted.

All the major newspapers based in Guwahati carried the news item in the December 8 edition last year, constraining the Manipuri Students' Federation to seek a clarification from The Times of India.

Arun Kumar asserted that he was misquoted but with The Times of India standing by its report, the student body had initially banned the paper in Manipur.

Subsequently the ban on the said newspaper was lifted as the intimation from the RSS functionary was not found 'official' and the student body has now decided to boycott the RSS, which is a part of the Sangh Parivar, with which the BJP is closely associated with.

Interestingly, with the exception of the Congress, all the other political parties, including the BJP had in its election manifesto to the 10th Assembly had promised to repeal AFSPA from the State of Manipur if voted to power.

However not a single BJP candidate was elected.

The whole of Manipur has been under AFSPA since 1980, and it was only in 2004 that this Act was lifted from the seven Assembly segments of Imphal Municipal Council.