Imphal, July 26: Toeing the line of decisions adopted by seven MLAs including two Ministers of SPF Government, members of Manipur Legislative Assembly O Joy and Dr Nimaichand of the MPP have also announced their decision to resign from their respective posts if the Government does not take a definite stand on removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur soon.

Talking to media persons at MPP office this afternoon, Joy and Nimaichand said that they have taken a resolute stand on tendering their resignation if the Act is not repealed according to the wishes of the people.

They also threatened to launch a fast unto death agitation if the Government keeps dilly-dallying over the demand of the people.

Informing that the decision to resign from their respective posts were not individual decisions but that of the party, Joy said that the State Government should convene a Cabinet meeting to take a definite decision on removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act at the earliest possible instead of waiting directives from the Centre.

When the media persons asked when they would be tendering their resignations, Joy said that the move would be made after August 15, the deadline set by the Government for removing the Act.

While applauding the decision of the seven MLAs including two Ministers who have threatened to resign from their respective posts if the assurance given by the Chief Minister to take a final decision on lifting of the Act is not translated into action within the stipulated deadline, Joy observed that there is difference of opinion among the ruling parties over the issue of removal of AFSPA.

Joy said that in view of the alarming development, MPP strongly felt the need for convening an emergency meeting of the State Assembly meeting of the State Assembly.

Accordingly, he along with Dr Nimaichand Luwang has gone to the Raj Bhavan to put pressure on the Governor for convening a session, Joy announced to the media persons.

Dr Nimaichand who was also present at the occasion said that they have even approached the Speaker TN Haokip for convening an emergency session of the Assembly.

The boycott of the Speaker by Opposition DPA too has been suspended for some time as the present crisis needed to be resolved first of all, Dr Nimaichand stated.

As the Assembly session has been adjourned sine die, Speaker TN Haokip was prevailed upon for taking up the matter with Chief Minister so that an emergency session could be called to discuss the burning issue of removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur in the wake of extra-judicial killing of Th Manorama by 17 Assam Rifles, Dr Nimaichand informed.

Asserting that imposition of Armed Forces Special Power Act in Manipur is meaningless ans as it is becoming counter productive, Dr Nimaichand demanded that India Government should completely revoke the Act and steps should be taken up for repealing Disturbed Area Status from some parts of Manipur to see its effect.

He also flayed the Govt for resorting to repressive measures to quell the public movement.

It would only lead to direct confrontation with the angry public and would not any bring any good result, he said.

MPCC (I) issues resignation threat: All the office bearers of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (I) have made their stand clear to the party president and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh that they would be forced to go in for mass resignations if the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is not removed from Manipur by August 15, according to a reliable source from Congress Bhawan.

An emergency meeting of the party�s office bearers was held this afternoon at the Congress Bhawan to take stock of the prevailing situation in the State, the source said.

After serious deliberations, the meeting unanimously endorsed the public demand for revocation of the Act from Manipur in view of its blatant misuse by the security personnel, the source disclosed.

The meting also lauded the decision of the two Ministers and five other MLAs to tender their resignations if the assurance given by the Chief Minister to take a final decision on repealing the Act is not taken within the stipulated deadline, the source further informed.

The copy of resolution arrived at the meeting would also been despatched to party president Sonia Gandhi and AICC high command very soon, the source added.

Meanwhile, in an effort to placate the hurt sentiments of the people demanding the removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 from Manipur, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (I), in a statement, today said that it has deep respect and concern for the sentiments of the people.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee considers the voice the people as the voice of God itself, general secretary of the party Vidyapati Senjam stated.

Asserting that the Congress party is always for the welfare of the people, Vidyapati said that MPCC has exerted pressure on the Chief Minister for taking a definite stand on removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur as desire by the people within August 15.To express solidarity with the agitating people, all the district and block presidents of the party would also be putting up festoons at their respective offices with wording demanding removal of black laws in the interest of the people, the party general secretary informed.

However, Congress party took serious note of agitators targeting public properties during the course of the agitation, Vidyapati said, while trying to dissuade the people from doing so in future.

The death of Manorama was very unfortunate and such incident should not recur, the statement added.

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