Imphal, July 20: Even as the Federal Party of Manipur has made its opposition to the Disturbed Area status clear, its MLA I Hemochandra today defied curfew and staged a march to demand the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, constraining the Imphal West police to round him up.

While Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Prakash Jaiswal was closeted with Governor Arvind Dave at Raj Bhawan, MLA I Hemochandra along with 8 IMC Councillors marched upto Raj Bhawan raising slogans demanding the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

The MLA along with the 8 Councillors drove up to near the Raj Bhawan and despite stiff resistance put up by the police managed to proceed upto the gate of Raj Bhawan.

There the MLA and his men laid on the road to lodge their protest.

A commando team led by OC Lokhon arrived on the scene and took away the MLA and his men.

Hemochandra was later produced before a Magistrate.

Information about the arrest of the MLA was personally conveyed by the Imphal West SP, S Ibomcha to Speaker TN Haokip.

Prior to his protest march, Hemochandra told media persons, that the people no longer have any faith in politicians.

They are no longer willing to listen to the barbs of politicians, he said.

The MLA was released on bail this evening at about 7.Speaking to The Sangai Express, Hemochandra said that his protest was a symbolic move so that the Union MoS for Home, Prakash Jaiswal will effectively convey the message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The MLA further said that the SPF Govt too should start studying the avenues of lifting the Disturbed Area tag from the State, which will automatically make the AFSPA ineffective here.

The Centre too should seriously study the possibility of scrapping the Act which was passed in 1958, he added.

Meanwhile talking to the media at the residence of FPM MLA L Ibomcha today, its president Dr Chandramani said that ever since the Armed Forces Special Powers Act was imposed in the State 24 years back, the atrocities and excesses of the security personnel have been rising by the day and this year, the killings have become rampant.

The nude protest staged by women folk on July 15 in front of Kangla, was ample proof of the strong stand of the people against the imposition of the Act in the State, said Dr Chandramani.

Merely punishing the jawans involved in the killing of Manorama will not pacify the people, said Chandramani and added that the aspirations of the people is the complete revocation of the Act so that the excesses of the security personnel can be put to a final stop.

FPM Legislature wing leader M Nillachandra said that the subject of revoking AFSPA was not previously on the agenda of the recent all political parties meeting.

However as a number of political parties, including the FPM pressed for its inclusion on the agenda of the day it was finally brought up for discussion, said Nillachandra.

The FPM had already decided to stage a walk out as the topic was not included on the agenda, but refrained after the Chief Minister assured that a meeting will soon be convened to discuss the meeting, he added.

Former president of the party, Prof Gangmumei Kamei said that barring Chandel, Sadar Hills, and Churachandpur, there is no justification for declaring the other parts of the State as Disturbed Areas.

The Chief Minister should keep his words about revoking the said act, said Kamei and recalled the announcement of the Chief Minister at the flag hoisting ceremony of Dr Th Meinya for the LS election, that the AFSPA would be revoked from the State.

Former Law Secretary, MLA L Ibomcha said that the subject of revoking the AFSPA will have to be discussed at Parliament.

However, the State Government can de-notify the Disturbed Area status which is included in Section 3 of the said Act, said the MLA.

MLA I Hemochandra who was also present said that an all political parties meeting cannot remove the Disturbed Area tag and added that other parties can only recommend.

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