Imphal, July 21: Expressing deep concern over the prevailing situation in Manipur as well as the hurt sentiments of the people, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Prakash Jaiswal today spelt out a number of promises and set deadlines for punishing the jawans involved in the killing of Thangjam Manorama, withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and evacuation of Assam Rifles from Kangla.

Addressing a packed media conference today at Raj Bhawan, the Union Minister said that the DG of Assam Rifles and GOC of 3 Corps have assured him that the ongoing Court of Inquiry instituted to probe the death of Th Manorama would be completed by July 27 and based on the findings of the probe, the guilty personnel would be given exemplary punishment.

The Centre is committed in ensuring that due process of law is strictly adhered to by the security personnel and anyone found stepping out of line would be given due punishment, the Minister assured.

On the rising demand for the removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, Jaiswal said that the Centre has taken note of the complaints of excesses committed by security personnel under the shadow of the said Act and added that Delhi in due consultation with the State Government will review the imposition of the Act here and study the situation for its revocation.

Chief Minister O Ibobi who was also present said that the State Government has set August 15, this year, as the deadline for taking a definite decision on whether to scrap the Disturbed Area status from the State or not.

The question of whether the Disturbed Area tag would be lifted from the whole of the State or in parts will also be decided then, he added.

The Government has decided to get in touch with voluntary organisations, NGOs and other bodies concerned to discuss the matter minutely, further said the Chief Minister.

The Centre will also be consulted on the matter, Ibobi added.

On the AFSPA, the Union Minister said that the Act is to facilitate counter-insurgency operations by conferring certain powers on the armed forces.

The grievances against the Act is mainly because of the abuse of the power granted under the said Act.

The first objective is therefore to provide comprehensive checks and balances to prevent the misuse and abuse of power conferred on the armed personnel, he observed.

Significantly, the Union Minister said that counter-insurgency operations will henceforth be carried out along with the civil police.

In case, the suspect is a woman, the presence of women constables would be made mandatory.

Since the State Government has shown an inclination towards lifting the AFSPA from the State, there is no reason why the Centre should object to it, maintained the Union Minister and reminded all that law and order is a State subject.

On the vexed issue of Kangla, the Minister said that the GOC of 3 Corps had already intimated to him that the process for complete evacuation of the historic site would be completed by December 31 this year.

The process of moving out the Assam Rifles from Kangla has been delayed because of certain infrastructural inadequacies at the site earmarked to relocate the Assam Rifles, he informed.

"In consonance with the sentiments of the people, I along with the Chief Minister visited Kangla and subsequently I directed the Assam Rifles officers to complete the process of shifting out by December 31," said Jaiswal adding that the process may be finalised before the deadline.

On being reminded that numerous such assurances had come a cropper before, the Union Minister replied, "Just wait and see this time."The DG of Assam Rifles who was also present declined to comment on the ongoing Court of Inquiry, maintaining that such process is confidential.

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