Imphal, February 06: Former Chief Minister and State unit party president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), W Nipamacha has explained that his party has made no assurance to repeal AFSPA in its election manifesto despite being a big issue not only in Manipur but also in the whole North East region as RJD alone would not be able to withdraw such a Central Act.

However, this does not mean that RJD supports the draconian Act.

In fact RJD has been always against the Army Act and would continue to exert pressure for its repeal, Nipamacha said while releasing the election manifesto of the RJD today.

The election manifesto of the RJD, outlining the programmes and policies that it would like to take if elected to power after the upcoming election to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly, was released during a simple function at the party office located at Babupara today.

National general secretary of RJD in-charge of North East Provinces Harish Mahapatra and sitting MLA of the party S Natum were also present at the occasion.

Protection of territorial integrity of Manipur, political dialogue to resolve the problem of insurgency in the State, ensuring protection of human rights, uprooting the scourge of HIV-AIDS, promotion of communal harmony among the various ethnic groups of people living in Manipur since time immemorial, to upgrade Sadar Hills and Jiribam to full-fledged revenue districts, development of human resources and improvement of communication and transport facilities, etc are some of the points prominently highlighted in the manifesto of the party.

Nipamacha said all the points that have been highlighted in the election manifesto are those which RJD firmly believes and would be able to implement and not some tall promises.

He said RJD strongly felt that only with protection of the territorial integrity of the State and promotion of unity among the people, can there be peace and development in Manipur.

On human resource development, the former Chief Minister said RJD would give special thrust on improving and streamlining the existing education system.

Fielding questions from mediapersons, Nipamacha explained that there has been no mention to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 which has become a big issue not only in Manipur but also in the whole North East region in the election manifesto of his party as RJD alone would not be able to withdraw such a Central Act.

However, RJD is against the Act and will exert pressure for its repeal, he added.