Source: The Sangai Express / PTI
New Delhi, June 25:
The recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) to repeal the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act is likely to bring smiles in the North East where people have been strongly objecting to the law.
The Commission headed by M Veerappa Moily in its fifth report on Public Order said, "The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 should be repealed".
It said that to provide for an enabling legislation for deployment of armed forces in the North Eastern States, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 should be amended by inserting a new chapter to review the AFSPA.
The new chapter would apply only to the North Eastern States.
North Eastern States, including Manipur, have been demanding repeal of the AFSPA and there was a violent agitation in 2004 after the lifeless body of a woman, Thangjam Manorama was found after she was picked up by Assam Rifles personnel.
The Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission constituted after the PM visited Manipur in 2004 had also recommended the repeal of the Act.
The Commission felt the repeal of AFSPA would remove the feeling of discrimination and alienation among the people of North Eastern States.