Imphal, January 12: People of Manipur should not be taken in by the tall claims of the Manipur People's Party (MPP) to remove imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from the State especially after it has welcomed into its fold the person responsible for imposing the draconian Act, Congress MLA and LDA chairman Nameirakpam Loken Singh has stated.

Addressing a one day political conference organised by Nambol Block Congress Committee at Leimapokpam Salangom ground today, Loken reminded that it is the ruling coalition SPF Government of Congress and CPI which had already removed the Act from within the jurisdictionof Imphal Municipality area atleast.

Loken said that RK Dorendra was responsible for the imposition of the Act in Manipur while he was the Chief Minister, and he has joined MPP only after Congress denied ticket to him.

Moreover, Irom Chanu Sharmila began her fast demanding removal of the Act while Dr Chandramani, the present MPP president was in power and failed to lift the Act.

So how can the people repose trust that a political party which is filled with such leaders could ever remove imposition of the draconian Act from Manipur ?, he questioned.

MPP should also restrain from campaigning for the election on communal line by criticising Nagas who can not be separated from rest of the other ethnic communities living in State since time immemorial and insisting that the top posts of the Government like the DGP and Chief Secretary should be held only by Meeteis, Loken said, adding that with such a mindset MPP would not be able work for the integrity and unity of Manipur.

Looking at the nature of the strategies being adopted by newly formed MPP with merger of MPP, DRPP and FPM to topple SPF Government, it is suspected that MPP is being used as a pawn from behind by some elements, Loken said, adding that despite such backing MPP would not be able to topple SPF Government.

Ibobi led SPF Government has removed Assam Rifles from the sacred Kangla and handed over the same to the people, Manipur University has been converted to a Central University and efforts are being made for upgrading RIMS to the status of AIIMS along with various other developmental works, the MLA asserted.

The day-long political conference held with Nambol BCC president W Bhagirath as president and attended by people from coming from various political stations of Nambol Assembly Constituency had also unanimously resolved to support Loken as the only consensus Congress candidate from the Assembly Constituency in the upcoming election to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly.