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North East : Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act to be amended : PM

	December 04, 2006

The controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act which is in force in the disturbed areas of the North East and has been a major cause of public agitations, especially in the state of Manipur, is to be amended and made humane.



The Congress-ruled state which has been witnessing a wave of agitations since the brutal rape and murder of a woman in Army custody two years back, also heaved a sigh of relief when the Prime Minister announced that the state’s integrity will be preserved while settling the Naga problem with the militant organisation, the NSCN(IM).



The historic announcements were made by the Prime Minister during his visit to Manipur last week.



“I believe that we need to consider some amendments to the Act by modifying the existing provisions or inserting new ones. Thereby it will be made more humane, giving due regard to the protection of basic human rights,” the Prime Minister said during a public reception inside the historic Kangla Fort in the capital city of Imphal which had become infamous after the alleged rape and murder of a Manipuri women.



Stating that the people of Manipur are entitled to the same privileges and legal protections that people in other parts of the country enjoy, the Prime Minister said the Union Home Ministry was working on the amendments.



The Prime Minister expressed the hope that many of the people’s grievances in Manipur will be addressed once these amendments are in place. However, he maintained a studied silence on the larger issue of repeal of the controversial Act.



Terming the demands of the people of Manipur as legitimate, Singh said the Jeevan Reddy Committee, set up to review the provisions of the Act, had done its job. He, however, did not mention what action the Centre might initiate on the basis of the report.



The report, which is yet to be released officially, has recommended repeal of the Act after incorporating certain provisions into the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.



Stressing the need to bring lasting peace to the state, Singh said, “We need to work for a future where there will be no need for such special acts. We look forward to a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Manipur.”







Terming the present situation in Manipur as “far from normal,” Singh said he had come to Manipur to initiate a new process which would help establish the Manipuris’ “legitimate aspirations” for a life with self respect.



“The armed forces are here to enforce the rule of law, punish law-breakers and ensure safety of the Manipuris. Sometimes action of a few people triggers public resentment. However, by and large, the Army is here to do its duty. If peace is given a chance in this state, there will be no need to use the Army,” he said. Singh promised that the Centre would do everything possible to protect the interests of the people of the state.





Territorial integrity not to be tampered with



Speaking on Manipur’s territorial integrity vis-a-vis Nagaland, the Prime Minister assured Manipuris that boundary of the state would not be tampered with, and ruled out integration of Naga-inhabited areas at the cost of Manipur.



“All states contiguous to Nagaland are averse to the idea of carving out “Nagalim” from their territory. It is the duty of the Centre to protect the people of the state and respect their sentiments,” Singh said as the crowd at the Kangla Fort ground burst into applause.



Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Ibobi Singh said there could be no compromise on the boundary of the state and problems needed to be solved through negotiation.



The announcement comes two days before the next round of Naga talks with the top NSCN (I-M) leadership in Amsterdam and has dealt a major blow to chairman of the outfit Isak Chisi Swu. In the last round of talks with the outfit, no breakthrough could be achieved.



The NSCN (I-M) which is engaged with the Union Government since 1997 to find an amicable and “honourable” settlement of the Naga issue, is insisting on the integration of Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland under a single administrative unit.





Irom Sharmila to continue with her hunger strike



Singh’s announcement seems to have had little impact on Irom Sharmila, the relentless crusader against the Army Act. Sharmila, who is on a hunger strike in New Delhi demanding repeal of the Act, refused to call off her protest. “I will continue my fast till the draconian act is repealed,” Sharmila said.



“Singh’s announcement is nothing but a statement. So far, there is no concrete action and there is no question of her calling off her fast,” her brother Irom Shingjit Singh said.





Construction of Tipaimukh dam : New Delhi to go ahead



Referring to the controversy over the construction of Tipaimukh dam in Manipur, the Prime Minister announced that the Centre would go ahead with the project. Singh said the Tipaimukh and Loktak downstream projects would improve the economic condition of Manipur. The Public Investment Board has approved the projects, which are awaiting environmental clearance. Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Heavy Industry Minister Sontosh Mohan Dev will visit Manipur before Christmas to lay the foundation stones of the projects.



NGOs opposing the proposed Tipaimukh project and Revolutionary Peoples Front, a militant outfit, separately observed a general strike to protest against the Prime Minister’s visit.



However, despite the bandh calls, a large number of people turned up at Kangla Fort to listen to the Prime Minister. Unprecedented security arrangements were made and no untoward incident was reported.