The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has demanded the state government to remove disturbed area status from hill areas of Manipur. It warned of several steps of agitation if the government failed to materialise their demand in the interest of the public.
During a press conference held at Congress Bhawan, in Imphal on Tuesday, former MLA from Henglep constituency, Manga Vaiphei said that not removing AFSPA from a single segment of hill areas when it is withdrawn from 15 police stations located in valley regions is questionable.
Vaiphei said that there is peace in the hill areas as there is ceasefire agreement between NSCN (I-M) and government of India and Suspension of Operation (SoO) with Kuki-Chin Zoumi Groups too. Despite having better law and order situation in this hill region, not removing AFSPA even from a single segment of the hill areas is unfortunate, the former MLA said.
“Taking a big concern for the hill areas, Chief Minister N Biren Singh had launched 'Go to Hills', but why is the disturbed areas status removed only in the valley?" he questioned.
Complementing the press briefing, working president Kh Devabrata said that not removing disturbed area status from a single police station in the hill region of Manipur is very contradictory to the claim of the state government that law and order in every part of the state has improved. The authorities concerned should not take such a decision that will create a lot of confusion to the masses, he said.
“MPCC wants to know the clear statement of the government as to whether the law-and-order situation of the state is better everywhere or not. If it has really improved, why can’t this draconian act, AFSPA, 1958, be removed from the entire state?” he asked.
He said that as per their findings there are 70 police stations in Manipur. Including recent withdrawals, disturbed area tag has been removed from 15 police stations. During the Congress regime in 2004 when the situation was tough, it was withdrawn from six police stations in seven segments. Removing it in 15 police stations only which is around 21 per cent is not encouraging, the president said.
With the peace process going on between militant groups, the Government of India and the state government, the BJP government should take measures to remove AFSPA from hill districts as well, he added while warning that MPCC will take the issue as one of the agenda and fight for it with people of state.
Also Read: Disturbed Area tag under AFSPA withdrawn from 15 police stations in six districts of Manipur
