Imphal, July 30: Though sharing solidarities with the grievances of the people and the present uproar against the excesses of the security personnel, veteran Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Rishang Keishing today said that New Delhi is unlikely to give the nod to the growing demand to lift the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State.

The State Government is also unlikely to lift the Disturbed Area Act without the consent of New Delhi, he added.

In an exclusive chat with The Sangai Express at his Mantripukhri residence this afternoon, the veteran Congress leader said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act was imposed in the North East region following the spurt in the activities of underground organizations demanding self determination.

Expressing his solidarity with the grievances of the people, Rishang said the growing demand for the removal of the AFSPA is precisely because of the excesses and atrocities committed by the security personnel under the immunity of the said Act.

"The present uproar and agitation is a direct fall out of the continuous misuse of the clauses of the AFSPA by the security personnel," he observed and added that the public have every right to protest the excesses of the security force.

Rishang further said that even if the State Government gives in to the demand of the public and lift AFSPA, the Centre has the authority to re-impose it if the law and order situation takes a turn for the worse.

As no one can assure that the law and order situation will not deteriorate if the said Act is lifted, it is unlikely that New Delhi will relent to the demand of the people, he added.

Requisite steps ought to be initiated by the Government to ensure that the security personnel do not step out of line and violate the provisions of the AFSPA, said Rishang and added that to avoid the imposition of President's Rule, the State Govt should consult with the Centre to see how it can adopt some measures to pacify the incensed people.

The veteran Congress leader further observed that the State Government may find it tough to provide good reasons to the Centre to lift AFSPA from Manipur.

To soothe the frayed nerves of the people, the personnel involved in eliminating Th Manorama after arrest should be punished according to the law of the land and no efforts should be spared to vacate Assam Rifles from Kangla at the earliest time possible, suggested Rishang.

On the demand raised by different political parties and former Chief Ministers to lift the said Act from the State, he said it would be better and more productive for the political leaders to study the ground and see how negotiations may be initiated between the underground outfits and the Centre, Rishang observed.

If the activities of the underground organizations are allowed to go on unchecked, then there is always the possibility that a more draconian law may be imposed in the State, warned the Rajya Sabha MP.

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