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Manipur crisis : Apunba Lup agree to meet PM |
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In the neighbouring state of Manipur, the working committee of the 32 organisations campaigning against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has agreed to a date with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi later this month, holding out hope for an end to the crisis in Manipur.
The Apunba Lup last week completed its third round of negotiations with Governor S.S. Sidhu since October 1. Three representatives of the committee, advocate Moirangthem Joychandra and Manipur University lecturers Kumarchand and Dhanabir Laishram, were closeted with the Governor for about 45 minutes.
After the meeting, a spokesperson for the Apunba Lup said a delegation would visit New Delhi in the last week of this month or early next month to meet the Prime Minister.
The spokesperson said both the state and central governments should create a conducive atmosphere for the talks.
The Apunba Lup decided to send a delegation to New Delhi after the Governor apprised it about the meetings he had with central leaders during his trip last week.
The Apunba Lup had earlier rebuffed repeated invitations from Chief Minister Ibobi Singh to hold talks with the government. The committee instead demanded the resignation of all legislators and MPs. It also banned teaching of Hindi in educational institutions and NCC training.
Manipur has been on the boil for nearly three months now. The crisis began with the death of Thangjam Manorama, 32, in Assam Rifles’ custody. She was allegedly raped before being shot dead. A judicial commission, an army court of inquiry and the police are separately investigating the circumstances leading to Manorama’s death.
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