Imphal, July 18: The all political parties meeting convened by the Chief Minister in the backdrop of the massive public outrage against the custodial death of Th Manorama at the hands of 17 Assam Rifles personnel and the growing demand for revoking the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, shied away from taking a definite decision on the revocation of the Act, but agreed to take a fresh look at the provisions of the said Act to prevent the recurrence of such incident in the future.

Attended by representatives of 12 political parties in the State, the meeting kicked off from 9 am and proceeded till 12 pm where the situation was discussed minutely.

After thoroughly discussing the prevailing situation, the meet unanimously condemned the killing of Manorama and decided to urge the Union Home Minister to personally make an on the spot assessment of the situation and redress the grievances of the people.

The meeting however stopped short of taking a definite decision on lifting the AFSPA, said sources.

Political leaders instead expressed their desire that the provisions of the said Act be looked afresh to prevent their misuse by the armed forces.

Records of the meeting, which was made available to the press, said that the Chief Minister initiated the discussion and briefed the political parties about the steps taken up by the State Govt as well as the Assam Rifles to inquire into the incident and take prompt action.

Giving details, the Chief Minister informed the meeting that apart from the Judicial Inquiry ordered by the State Government; the Assam Rifles had also assured that the Court of Inquiry instituted to probe the matter will be completed within 10-15 days time.

Towards this end, the CO of 19 Garhwal Rifles has been appointed as the Presiding Officer of the Court of Inquiry.

The Corp Commander Lt Gen Daljeet Singh had also given a firm commitment that the powers conferred under the AFSPA will be exercised strictly in accordance with prescribed procedures and parameters, informed the Chief Minister.

After thoroughly discussing the matter, the political parties meet took five decisions.

Apart from strongly condemning the custodial killing of Manorama by 17 Assam Rifles personnel, the meeting also emphasized the need to punish the guilty Assam Rifles personnel.

On the vexing issue of revoking the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the meeting stopped short of taking a definite decision but leaders present at the meeting felt that "the provisions of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 may be looked afresh to prevent their misuse by the armed forces personnel".

The meeting also decided to urge the Union Home Minister to immediately visit Manipur and make an on spot assessment of the situation and to redress the grievances of the people.

It was also decided that all the political parties will issue a joint appeal to the people to maintain peace and tranquility and help the State Government to restore normalcy.

Former Chief Minister RK Dorendra later told media persons that all the political parties expressed their desire that the Act should go from the State.

The former CM also said that it is within the power of the State Govt to revoke the Disturbed Area status from the State and the AFSPA can then be gradually lifted.

Different political parties also urged the Government to relax the curfew and to ensure that the involved personnel are handed over to the civil police for due interrogation, said Dorendra.

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