Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 21 2009:
Asserting that she is fully aware of the July 23 incident and the situation arising out of that, Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Agatha Sangma has stated that she would take the issue to the Central leaders so that a solution can be chalked out.
The agitation spearheaded by the Apunba Lup has taken a critical turn, with the class boycott call given by AMSU, MSF and KSA, paralysing all academic activities since September 9 .
Speaking to the media yesterday morning, before wrapping up her two day visit to the State, Agatha said "I am fully aware of the July 23 incident.
I know it was published prominently in a National magazine (Tehelka)" .
Agatha Sangma assured that the matter would be brought to the personal notice of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister so that they may intervene and help to defuse to situation.
Responding to questions from the media, Sangma said that the demand that the Chief Minister resign on moral is a political matter and she could not comment on it.
The young Minister also acknowledged that there is a collective demand to revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur, and added that on her last visit here, she had met Irom Sharmila.
After interacting with Sharmila, she had returned to Delhi and brought the matter to the notice of the political leaders at Delhi, recalled Agatha.
On the other hand, the JACs formed in connection with the killing of Ch Sanjit and Th Rabina submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister through Agatha Sangma.
Stating that the present trend of excesses committed by the State forces is due to the mishandling of key departments by the Chief Minister, the memorandum demanded, either imposition of President's Rule or to replace Ibobi as the Chief Minister by a reliable leader from any community.
The last eight years rule of the SPF Government under Chief Minister O Ibobi has witnessed total failure on all fronts, the memorandum charged.
The level of corruption is running at an all time high while on the other hand extra-judicial killings have become the order of the day, alleged the memorandum, copies of which were also addressed to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.