Imphal, August 31: Continuing its tirade against the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) Government, the All Political Parties Forum floated by the Opposition today alleged that failure to highlight the ground reality to the Centre is the main factor for the negative response to the demand for lifting Disturbed Area Status from Manipur.

Talking to media persons this afternoon, MPP president O Joy Singh rapped the O ibobi Singh led SPF Govt for failing to present a proper report and convince the Central leaders on the people�s movement for withdrawal of the repressive Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur.

The Opposition MLA said that the SPF Government failed to highlight the true picture here as they are apprehensive of getting into the bad books of the Centre.

It was the reluctance of the State Govt to convince the Centre that has led to the present situation, he charged.

Instead of convincing the Central leaders that the demand of the people of Manipur is to allow them to enjoy the rights guaranteed to other people of the country, O Ibobi is hell bent on muffling the voice of the people by using brute force and booking them under the National Security Act, he charged.

The seasoned politician also highlighted that past State Governments, keeping the interest of the public above all else, had taken several decisions despite staunch opposition by the Centre.

Elaborating, Joy recalled that previous Central Governments (Home Ministry) had opposed declaring the Patriots� Day as a State Government function.

The Centre too had also rejected the proposal to construct the Sahid Minar in 1972 and establishment of memorial site at Kheba Ching to commemorate Khongjom Day.

All these were defied, claimed the MPP president.

Moreover, the State Governments earlier did not heed the directives of the the Union Home Ministry to ban the annual offering of floral tribute at the memorial site constructed at Cheiraoching which is indisputably in memory of deceased underground activists, asserted the former Law Minister.

In the backdrop of such circumstances defiance of the SPF Govt to convene an assembly session to discuss and resolve as per aspiration of the State people to remove draconian laws from Manipur needs explicit explanation failing which it could not be ruled as the O Ibobi Govt having scant respect to desires of the general masses, he charged.

Joy also reiterated that reluctance of the SPF to concede to the people�s demand reflects the inert agenda of the State Government to suffocate the genuine public outcry so as to please the Delhi masters.

Reacting to reported comments of Assam Chief Minister favouring continuation of AFSPA, Joy retorted let the Act remain in Tarun Gogoi�s State but as far as Manipur is concerned the repressive act should be done away with.

Joining the address, former Dy CM and president of Federal Party of Manipur Dr L chandramani stated that as per Assembly�s rule of procedure and conduct of business (Rule No 17 (a) there should be 50 sittings in a calendar year covering the budget, autumn and winter sessions.

Within the four months left in the current year only autumn and winter sessions remain, said Chandramani while mooting that the present imbroglio besetting the state people should be thoroughly discuss by convening the autumn session.

Maintaining that promulgation of AFSPA in Manipur had proved to be counter productive the Act need to be repealed, asserted the FPM leader while denouncing the State and Central Govts for linking the ongoing movement to underground elements.

If Govt of India is seriously pondering solution of the insurgency problem unilateral ceasefire should be declared to pave the way for political settlement of the issue, he added.

Decrying linking people�s movement to underground organisations, DRPP president Udoi Thongam also described as unfortunate State Govt�s failure to understand the sentiment of the people.

He further observed that promulgation of PR, declaring emergency or applica- tion of the severest law would have little effect on activities of underground organisations as they have already distanced from the mainland to rebel against the GoI.

Connecting the people�s movement as being carried out at the behest of insurgent groups� instigation vividly illustrates that the State Govt is relying upon such ill-conceived theory to subdue the agitation through use of police force, expressed the DRPP leader.

The state Govt�s contention that extortion by UG outfits necessitates conferring �special powers� to security force, Udoi said due to the UGs having made inroads to corruption avenues of the Ministers and Govt officials SPF had to play the extortion card.

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