Houses discusses private member’s bill on AFSPA

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Chief minister N. Biren Singh today verbally indicated on the floor of the House that the situation in the state is not yet conducive to immediately lift disturbed area status from the whole of the state.

The chief minister was responding to a private member resolution moved by Thangmeiband MLA Kh. Joykishan urging the House to “unanimously resolve to urge the Government of India to lift the enforcement of AFSPA 1958 from the state of Manipur immediately”.

Biren said that repealing AFSPA is the utmost desire of the people of Manipur as well as the state government.

However, the decision to extend the disturbed area status in the state excluding the seven Assembly segments of Imphal Municipal area, for another year was taken by the state Cabinet on December 1, 2016, he said.

Biren said that the decision could have been taken based on various aspects like the proximity to border area and complexity of security of the entire state etc.

Given the circumstances, he observed that taking hasty decision at this point of time would not be a wise thing to do.

With the lifting of the disturbed area status a prerogative of the state government the decision could be reviewed after six months based on the prevailing situation of the state, he said.

However, Biren was of the view that there was no point of taking any immediate decision by the House if the Centre chooses to re-enforce the status like it did in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, and Nagaland.

Joykishan said the situation has improved comparatively except for some stray incidents in hill.

He insisted that he would only withdraw his resolution if the chief minister gives assurance on the floor of the House that the government will lift the disturb area status.

In response the chief minister said that any immediate action at the moment by the present government without carefully assessing the situation will not be proper.

“We are doing our best to keep the security forces in commanding position. Moreover, the Supreme Court is also taking serious note of the situation”, he said while stating that he will do the needful when the atmosphere is conducive.

The bill was later withdrawn.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 28

Chief minister N. Biren Singh today verbally indicated on the floor of the House that the situation in the state is not yet conducive to immediately lift disturbed area status from the whole of the state.

The chief minister was responding to a private member resolution moved by Thangmeiband MLA Kh. Joykishan urging the House to “unanimously resolve to urge the Government of India to lift the enforcement of AFSPA 1958 from the state of Manipur immediately”.

Biren said that repealing AFSPA is the utmost desire of the people of Manipur as well as the state government.

However, the decision to extend the disturbed area status in the state excluding the seven Assembly segments of Imphal Municipal area, for another year was taken by the state Cabinet on December 1, 2016, he said.

Biren said that the decision could have been taken based on various aspects like the proximity to border area and complexity of security of the entire state etc.

Given the circumstances, he observed that taking hasty decision at this point of time would not be a wise thing to do.

With the lifting of the disturbed area status a prerogative of the state government the decision could be reviewed after six months based on the prevailing situation of the state, he said.

However, Biren was of the view that there was no point of taking any immediate decision by the House if the Centre chooses to re-enforce the status like it did in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, and Nagaland.

Joykishan said the situation has improved comparatively except for some stray incidents in hill.

He insisted that he would only withdraw his resolution if the chief minister gives assurance on the floor of the House that the government will lift the disturb area status.

In response the chief minister said that any immediate action at the moment by the present government without carefully assessing the situation will not be proper.

“We are doing our best to keep the security forces in commanding position. Moreover, the Supreme Court is also taking serious note of the situation”, he said while stating that he will do the needful when the atmosphere is conducive.

The bill was later withdrawn.

Read more / Original news source: http://www.ifp.co.in/item/2318-houses-discusses-private-member-s-bill-on-afspa