Need to convince Centre to repeal AFSPA: Biren
BJP launches campaign to seek suggestions from experts as part of Vishes Sampark Abhiyan
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 11 2021: Chief Minister N Biren has contended that the state government will need to convince the Centre to repeal AFSPA from the state in order to avoid re-imposition of AFSPA even if it is annulled by the state government.

CM Biren visited and met several prominent personalities as part of BJP's Vishesh Sampark Abhiyan to seek suggestions on policy making for the government and to include the same in the party's election manifesto.

Responding to posers from media persons regarding the observation made by Manipur Human Rights Commission that the state government can remove AFSPA on the sidelines of his visit, Biren said that everybody knows how the government of Naga-land earlier scrapped AFSPA from the state and the Centre re-imposed it.

As such, the state government will need to impress the Centre on the law and order situation of the state in order to remove the Act.

Several armed groups of the northeast region are under peace talks with the Centre and there are possibilities of initiating a peace talk with a UG group of Manipur soon.

Both the Centre and the state have equal responsibilities in scrapping AFSPA and the state government is working to sort out and repeal AFSPA from the state, he said.

Regarding the allegation of misusing police organisation by the ruling party in a biased nature as raised by opposition parties, Biren said that police or home department are there for the public and the government is also for the public.

Police are doing their duties as per the law, he said while denying the allegation.

Regarding the Vishesh Sampark Abhiyan, Biren said that it is a continuation of the party's tradition of seeking suggestions from prominent personalities for framing policies and programmes for the welfare of the public.

He presented the government's report card of the last five years to them during his meeting and sought their suggestions so that the party could incorporate them in its election manifesto.

The campaign is also to seek blessings as well, he added.

The CM called on theatre personality Ratan Thiyam, MIT VC Dr Bhaveshwar Tongbram, MU VC professor N Lokendro, Olympian K Chinglensana, senior journalist Pradip Phanjoubam, Padmashri awardee Rewben Mashangva, film actor RK Somorendro (Kaiku) and DMU vice-chancellor professor Rajmuhon at their respective residences.

Meanwhile, BJP Manipur Pradesh led by its president A Sharda Devi has begun collecting suggestions from experts and renowned personalities of the state, in connection with the Vishesh Sampark Abhiyan launched on Saturday.

The party president met Manipur State Women Commission ex-chairperson Ch Jamini, Guru Thanil and Manipur Cultural University VC Paonam Gunindro, ex-Judge Noutuneshwori and boxer Sarita and collected suggestions on what they want the party and the government to do for the state.

Similar Vishesh Sampark Abhiyan was also launched by Lamlai Mandal in Lamlai AC on Saturday In all, households of 11 prominent personalities were visited as part of the campaign and gifts presented them.

Suggestions were also collected from them.

Lamlai AC BJP intending candidate Kh Ibomcha, BJP Lamlai Mandal president E Amitkumar, general secretary L Shyam, Lotus (Thambal) Campaign chairman, S Dhananjoy and convener Ch Inaoba took part in the campaign.

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