Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, November 19:
On the eve of the Prime Minister�s visit to Manipur, Government today appointed former Supreme Court Judge Justice Jeeven Reddy as the Chairman of a five-member committee to review the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act which triggered widespread protest in the State.
The Committee, which will review the 1958 Act as amended from time to time, will submit its report within six months, an official spokesman said.
Other members of the panel are former Vice Chancellor and jurist Dr SB Nakade, former Special Secretary in the Home Ministry P P Shrivastav, former Director General Military Operations in the Army Lt Gen VR Raghavan and journalist Sanjoy Hazarika, he said.
The committee was set up yesterday in the wake of persistent demand for withdrawal of the Act by �Apunba Lup�, an amalgam of 32 agitating Manipuri outfits.
The Prime Minister had assured a delegation of Apunba Lup, which called on him earlier this month, that the Government would consider replacing the Act with a more "humane" law that would seek to address the concerns of national security and as well as rights of citizens.
Manipur had witnessed widespread violent protests following the custodial killing and alleged rape of Manorama Devi by Assam Rifles jawans in July.