'Armed Forces Special Powers Act is being amended'

Imphal, Dec 2: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced that the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act would be amended soon as part of the steps to address the grievances of the people of Manipur.

Addressing a function at the historic Kangla Fort here, Dr Singh said, ''We need to consider some amendments to the Act by modifying existing provisions or inserting new provisions, whereby it could be made more humane giving due regard to the protection of basic human and civil rights.'' He said the Committee set up to review its provisions had done its job and now the Home Ministry was working on the amendments. ''I am hopeful that many of your grievances would be addressed'' once the new law was in place.

The Centre was modifying the Act as the people of Manipur were entitled to the same privileges and protections of law as the citizens in the rest of the country, the Prime Minister said.

The Armed Forces were in the state to enforce the rule of law, to punish law-breakers and ensure the safety of Manipuris.

''Occasionally, the acts of a few may have become the object of public resentment. However, by and large, the Armed Forces are here to do a duty. If peace is given a chance in this State, there would be no need to use our armed forces for the task they are now charged with,'' he said.

During the day-long visit, Dr Singh laid the foundation stone for the Manipur Institute of Technology, a Convention Centre and the National Academy of Sports at Khuman Lampak.

The UPA government was making all out efforts for the development of the state, he said and pointed out that it had approved a number of road, rail, power and other infrastructure projects.

He said that he would ask the Ministry of Civil Aviation to expedite the construction of night landing facilities at Imphal Airport so that air traffic could improve further.

The Centre was committed to converting the Manipur Institute of Technology into a National Institute of Technology, he said.

Union Ministers Santosh Mohan Dev, Oscar Fernandes and Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minister Ibobi Singh and State Ministers Parijat Singh and Gai Khangam were among the dignitaries present at the public function.

Dr Singh said he was happy to be back in Manipur after a gap of exactly two years. ''I had addressed all of you from this very spot on 20th November 2004 on the historic occasion of the handing over of the Kangla Fort to the Government and the people of Manipur.'' It was a memorable occasion when the Kangla Fort, which symbolised the traditions and aspirations of the people of Manipur, was handed back after more than a century of being out of bounds to ordinary Manipuris, he said.

The hydroelectric projects announced recently for the state would take off ''very soon'' as these were vital for making Manipur surplus in power generation. Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Heavy Industry Minister Santosh Mohan Dev would lay the foundation stone for the two projects before Christmas, he said.

Imphal would be developed as a major medical centre and at the same time ''we are working towards improving the health facilities at district headquarters.'' Sanction had been given for the construction of five 50-bedded hospitals in Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Senapati and Jiribam. On completion of these, people in the remote corners of the State would be able to get better medical treatment close to their doorstep.

The Prime Minister also announced a slew of new projects for Manipur and assured all help to augment the rapid development of the state. Dr Singh announced that five 50-bedded hospitals would come up at Urkhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Senapati and Ciribam at a cost of Rs 75 crore.

A National Sports Academy will be built at Khuman Lampak Sports complex at a cost of Rs 18 crore to boost sporting activities in Manipur, he said. The Manipur institute of technology will be upgraded to the status of national insitute of technology and the city development plan for Imphal had been approved under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission for Rs 1870 crore.

The NH 39 from Maram to Imphal will be converted to four-lane with a fund of Rs 300 crore. The Jiribam Tupul railway line will be completed within four to five years bringing the valley of Manipur on the Indian rail map, he announced. The old Cachar road will be made motorable at the cost of Rs 86 crore and the Imphal airport will soon have night landing facilities.

The central government has sanctioned an assistance of Rs 21 crore for construction of six bridges.

Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Heavy Industies Minister Santosh Kumar Dev will visit Manipur before Christmas to lay the founction stone for the Tipaimukh project and Loktak down stream projects, Dr Singh said.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and his cabinet colelauges were present at the occasion.

Manipur Governor Dr SS Sidhu presented a memento to the prime minister.

A large numbers of people had come to attend the public meeting inspite of the boycott call given by RPF and the 24-hour general strike called by the Action Committee against the Tipaimukh Dam project.

The streets were, however, largely empty and all educational and business establishments closed down in view of the strike.

UNI