Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, January 16:
The Review Committee on AFSPA will resume its public hearing from January 19 at the national capital here.
This was conveyed by PP Shrivastav, one of the Review Committee members, while talking to media persons today.
He informed that the public hearing would be conducted at Jaisalmer House for three days from January 19 to 21.The Review Committee will listen to the comments of the representatives of the Ministries of the North East States and North Easterners living at Delhi, Shrivastav said, adding that notification in this connection had been already issued.
After the public hearing at New Delhi, the Review Committee will be visiting all the North Eastern States except Sikkim to get the opinion of the people on the issue, he disclosed.
Shrivastav said that the Committee is making all out efforts to ensure submission of the report within the stipulated time frame.
Informing that the response of the Manipuri people to the Review Committee during its recent visit to the State was encouraging, Shrivastav said besides the representatives of student bodies, Meira Paibis and Apunba Lup, the family members of Manorama Devi and authorities of Indian Army submitted their statements.
Replying to a question on the public statements issued by top Army officials on the issue even while the public hearing is underway, Shrivastav said that it is for the Government to decide whether such statements contradict the decision of the Government.
But as for the Review Committee, such statements will in no way influence its proceedings.
When asked whether the statement given by Army personnel during the public hearing can be assumed as the official statement of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Shrivastav said the Review Committee would not like to listen to the opinion of one side only.
He said the Review Committee is making an earnest and sincere attempt to understand the ground reality of alleged human rights violation and other related problems being faced by the people under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
While making recommendation for either reviewing or repealing of the Act, the issue of National security too has to be taken care of, he added.