Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh assured the Manipur Assembly that the State Government will convince the centre for removal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, (AFSPA) 1958 from the hill areas of Manipur. He said this is a long-standing demand for the people of Manipur.
Replying to a Calling Attention Motion, he said that many agencies had pressed the Centre to impose AFSPA in valley areas after the ethnic violence erupted in the State since 3rd May of last year. The imposition of AFSPA cannot guarantee ideal law and order conditions. The Chief Minister who also holds the portfolio of Home said that the recent amendment of the three new criminal laws now imposed all over India has emphasised more on dignity and humanity. Therefore, the State Government will try its best to approach and convince the Centre to remove the Act.
On the matter of abrogation of Suspension of Operation (SoO) raised by the opposition MLA during the session, the Chief Minister said that SoO is a Tripartite matter and the State Government does not have the power to abrogate the policy at its own will. He said that the Centre Government has neither withdrawn nor extended SoO which implied that the State’s grievances and demands have been considered.
