In the wake of recent Oting massacre of at least 14 civilian, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma have already demanded that the act should be repealed
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TFM Desk
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh has reportedly said that he also favoured the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (Afspa) from the North-East, a report said.
The Oting massacre of at 14 civilians by Indian armed forces on December 4 and 5 has triggered a renewed demand for the repeal of AFSPA.
The act, which provides impunity to the Indian armed forces to kill any person on mere suspicion has been a contentious issue in the North-East with civil society members demanding repeal of this act for decades.
However, the Indian Government defended imposition of this act in select regions saying that it helps armed forces maintain order in restive areas. In the wake of recent massacre, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma have already demanded that the act should be repealed.
As the issue might become a key issue in the upcoming state general election of Manipur, chief minister N Biren Singh gave a guarded response to the renewed demand for repeal of AFSPA.
According to a Hindustan Times’ report, N Biren Singh has reportedly said, “Removing Afspa is our stand. But we need to create a better understanding with the Centre. Prior to taking a decision, we need to talk, we need to discuss (with the central leaders) to reach an understanding.”
It may noted that the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) which had staged a sit-in at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai joining the renewed AFSPA repeal movement in the Northeast, had urged CM Biren to play his part in repealing AFSPA.
During the sit in, COCOMI coordinator Longjam Ratankumar Singh had said that COCOMI believes CM Biren will walk the talk on the issue.