PM prepared to lift AFSPA if there is political consensus

Imphal, Dec 20 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is understood to have said that the Centre was fully prepared to repeal the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 (AFSPA) if there was unanimity among political parties.

Manipur Political Forum Convenor K.Saratkumar told UNI that a delegation of political parties including CPI (M) Parliamentary leader Basudev Archarya (MP), CPI leader Gurudas Das Gupta, CPI Secretary D.Raja, CPI (M) MP Sudhakar, CPI leader Sutinkumar, L Ibohal of RJD, S Jayenta of Manipur People's Party, A Biren and Loli Adani of NCP had called on the Prime Minister at his office in New Delhi yesterday.

A memorandum was also submitted to the Prime Minister demanding repeal of AFSPA 1958. The Prime Minister informed the delegation that about Rs 500 crores of money were extorted annually by militants on the two life lines of Manipur National Highways no 39 and 53.

The PM said the Manipur Assembly should also pass a resolution on repealing the act, Mr Saratkumar said. The delegation appealed to the Prime Minister to uphold the Justice Jeevan Reddy committee report to repeal the draconian law.

The all party delegation informed the Prime Minister that they would intensify the stir demanding immediate repeal of the Act.

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