Time is ripe for AFSPA repeal, says M. Nara

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 20

The Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur state council, secretary M. Nara Singh, welcoming the Centre’s decision to give up power to impose “disturbed area” status in Manipur, demanded the BJP led Manipur government to repeal the AFPSA and suggested that it was right time to do so.

Speaking to the media in this regards in a press conference held today at Irawat Bhawan, M. Nara urged the government to think consciously and with the support of the people to repeal the act from the state.

The stand of the CPI is clear when it comes to AFPSA, he said adding that CPI has been against the law since the beginning and continue to demand the repeal of the draconian law.

He maintained that CPI played a big role in repealing the act in seven assembly constituency of Imphal in the past.

He recalled that in 2004, when CPI was an ally with the Congress government in the state five of its Cabinet ministers submitted resignation letter to then chief minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh demanding repeal of AFSPA failing it threatened to withdraw its support from the alliance.

Further pointing out the Left front government led by the CPI (M) repealed the act (AFSPA) after having lifted the disturbed area status from Tripura; he questioned why the BJP led Manipur government is holding back when both centre and state is held by BJP. Moreover, lifting of disturbed area status has been left at the discretion of the state, he said.

“People have become wiser, nobody longer wants any form of violence but to live in peace, Let us hope state government realise the desire of the people”, asserted Nara.

The CPI secretary, alleged that people have started indulging in illicit activities in wake of the panchayat election schedule to be held on October 7.

He contended that the initiative of the Biren led BJP government to uproot corruption cannot be fulfilled unless corruption in electoral system is put to a stop.

Maintaining that government needs strong determination to fight corruption, Nara urged the BJP corruption to declare the upcoming panchayat election to make it free and fair.

Nara, also further alleged that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) has terribly failed in the state.

Beneficiaries of NFSA have been deprived of their rights for several months in almost all the assembly constituencies, he said.

Observing that the Loktak Hydro Project is doing more harm than gain, Nara suggested the government to review the project and decommission it for good.