Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 12 2008:
State home department has received comments and views of the state police and BSF regarding the extension of the disturbed area status in the Imphal Municipality area in which police commented in favour of re-imposition of Armed Forces (Special Power) Act (AFSPA), a highly place official source said Wednesday.
A Cabinet meeting of the Ibobi led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government is schedule to discuss on the matter of re-imposition of Armed Forces (Special) Power Act, AFSPA in the Imphal Municipality area within this week as the last extension period ended on November 30, the official source added.
Compilation of Cabinet memorandum with the regard to the extension of the disturbed area status in the Imphal Municipality beyond November 30 this year is in progress with reference to the comments furnished by the security establishments in the state.
A highly place official source said that so far state police department and the Border Security Force (BSF) have submitted their comments in response to the government invitation on the extension of the disturbed area status in the Imphal Municipality area which is extending from time to time.
However, other security establishments like Assam Rifles, Army and CRPF are yet to furnish their comments.
Manipur government, it can be recounted that has invited comments and views of the security establishmentson further extension of the disturbed area status in the Imphal Municipality area.
They have been asked to submit the same on or before November 15 .
State police has it its comment expressed their willingness to re-impose the disturbed area status and so that ASPA come into force again with reference to the militancy related incidents, the source disclosed.
However, the source refused to disclose in details of the observation put down by the police and BSF.
It is pertinent to mention that security force establishments in the state including the police countering with the insurgency in the state have been in favour of re-imposition of the re-declaration of disturbed area status in the Imphal Municipal area which was lifted in November 2004 .
The SPF government which returned to power again in the state has been rejecting the proposal of the security forces apparently considering the sentiment of the people of the state as well as political pressure.
But this time there may come up strong pressures from the security forces considering the insurgency related incidents that occurred in the last one year among which most importantly blasting of bomb inside and nearby the chief minister's bungalow, explosion at Ragailong North AOC which claimed at least 17 people and leave several others with severe injuries and increasing extortion of money and threatened to the people by placing bombs and firing guns etc.