Imphal, July 21: Maintaining that the question of whether to lift the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or not is now the prerogative of the Chief Minister, MPP president O Joy today said that the Government should do something positive so that the last rites of Th Manorama may be held as per the traditions and customs of the people.

Speaking to newsmen at the official quarters of MPP MLA Dr Nimaichand Luwang, Joy said that the decision of whether to lift the said Act or not rests with the Chief Minister and his Cabinet and not the MLAs.

All political parties meeting cannot decide on the revocation or continuation of the Act, Joy maintained.

On the current situation in Manipur, Joy said that the Government ought to do something positive so that the sentiments of the people may be soothed and the last rites of Manorama may be performed.

If the State Government is really sincere about lifting the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, then it would be in the fitness of things for the Chief Minister to convene a Cabinet meeting at the earliest to discuss the matter.

If the Cabinet is hesitant about taking such an important decision then an emergency Assembly session may be called and the matter may then be discussed wherein all the 60 MLAs will jointly share the responsibility of any decision taken, said Joy.

Strongly reacting against the comments of the GOC-in-C of Eastern Command, Lt Gen JS Verma that Manorama was a confirmed member of the PLA and that the AFSPA will not be lifted from the State, Joy said the very utterings of the army officer is akin to saying that the State Government is under the GOC-in-C.The MPP strongly condemns such irresponsible comments, he added.

The MPP president further said that he along with Dr Luwang met Union MoS for Home Prakash Jaiswal and urged him to expedite the probe and take up punitive action against the guilty jawans.

The MPP also submitted a memorandum demanding the revocation of AFSPA from the State.

The Union Minister was also urged to advise the Chief Minister to repeal the AFSPA as it had already claimed the lives of numerous innocent people, ever since its imposition in Manipur, Joy said.

Joy said that the MPP made it clear to the Jaiswal that the present situation is extremely volatile.

A single mistake may lead to a mass uprising as the one seen on June 18, 2001.Therefore the Act should go from the State at the earliest, added Joy.

Dr Nimaichand Luwang asked the Congress and the CPI to come clean on their stand on the said Act and added that the MPP has already made its stand clear.

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