NEW DELHI, Nov 1? In a significant move aimed at breaking the deadlock in Manipur, the Prime Minister today agreed to review the contentious Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and replace it with another Act with a more humane face.
The assurance came at the end of a 45-minute meeting between a 10-member Apunba Lup delegation and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh here this afternoon. The Prime Minister is also visiting Manipur later this month to assess the law-and-order situation.
The organisation, however, declined to give their immediate reaction to the Prime Minister?s assurance. The Prime Minister?s media adviser, Sanjay Baru, told newsmen that the Prime Minister would consider reviewing the AFSPA and replacing with another Act with a more humane face and considering the national security aspect. The Prime Minister further asked the delegation to meet the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil.
However, the meeting with Shivraj Patil has run into uncertainty as the Apunba Lup delegation was not too keen on calling on him. A leader of the delegation, Arambam Lokendra, told newsmen though the Prime Minister has asked them to meet the Home Minister yet they have reservations as they had a test of Patil at Imphal. The delegation was slated to hold a meeting later tonight to decide on their next course of action.
Meanwhile, at the meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr Singh asked them to immediately restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. He also expressed concerns at the prevailing situation in the State and misery of the people. Reacting to the meeting Lokendra said that the Prime Minister gave them a patient hearing. The Centre has repealed the POTA after three years but this AFSPA has been there for last 46 years, the leader of the delegation said.
?We also have concern about national security but there has been blatant violation of human rights in Manipur under the cover of this Act,? Lokendra said.
However, the case of Manorama Devi did not figure during the discussion between Apunba Lup and the Prime Minister. Manipur Governor coordinated the visit by Apunba Lup to Delhi and officials from Raj Bhavan are accompanying the delegation.