Imphal, July 25: Following the massive public protest against the brutal killing of Manorama and the growing demand for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, Chief Minister O Ibobi hurriedly left for New Delhi today to hold talks with the Central leaders and study the ground for removing the Disturb Area Act and AFSPA from the State, said an official source.

Chief Minister O Ibobi was accompanied by Minister Ph Parijat and Chief Secretary AP Sharma.

Sources informed that the Chief Minister during his visit would be briefing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on the present volatile law and order condition in the State besides discussing the possibilities of lifting AFSPA from the State.

It also added that the Chief Minister will highlight to the Central leaders about the escalating tension in Manipur following the statement given by Union Minister of Home Prakash Jaiswal that AFSPA will not be revoked from Manipur immediately after his return to Delhi from Imphal.

Informing that some of the SPF Ministers have even threatened to resign from their respective posts if the Central leaders react negatively to the State's proposal for revoking AFSPA from the State, sources added that the future of the Ibobi led Government will largely depend on the outcome of the talks between the Chief Minister and Central leaders.

The decision to hold talks with the Central leaders on the sensitive issue was taken during a high level meeting of the SPF leaders held last night.

Ministers of the SPF Government who attended the high level meeting also expressed their strong support to the Chief Minister's declaration of taking a definite decision with regard to AFSPA before August 15, punishment of Manorama's killers and removal of Assam Rifles from Kangla before December 31, 2004.The Chief Minister will also be meeting the AICC president Sonia Gandhi during his visit.

Sources also said that seven Ministers and MLAs who recently visited Manorama's residence have reaffirmed their stand of resigning from their respective post if the Government fails to lift AFSPA from the State before August 15.Meanwhile, a senior leader of the SPF Government while talking to The Sangai Express today stated that the Government is apprehensive about lifting the Armed Forces Special Power Act from the State despite the massive public outcry as there is high possibility of President's Rule being imposed in the State once the Act is lifted.

The leader also informed that Government has received suggestions and proposal from the police and the security forces as demanded by the Government with regard to lifting of Disturb Area Status from some of the parts of the State.

Some of the areas suggested by the security forces for lifting the disturb area status from the State include areas under Imphal East, City PS and Imphal Municipality.

The leader also said that the Government besides deliberating on the matter has also held a lengthy discussion with the Central Government on the proposal submitted by the security forces.

Referring to the ongoing people's agitation for removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act and Disturb Area Status from the State, the leader informed that the Government has already begun holding discussion with the senior citizens and intellectuals of the State for their opinion on the sensitive issue so that a definite solution could be chalked out to end the agitation.

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