Imphal, September 14, 2010: Ahead of the all-political parties meeting at New Delhi tomorrow, the recommendation to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 adopted during the panel discussion organised by Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur here on September 11 has been sent to the Prime Minister today afternoon.

The recommendation maintains that amendment of the Act that has deprived the right to life of the people is not enough but should be completely scrapped from the surface of India, which is the largest democracy in the world, as well as from the statute book.

The recommendation has been forwarded to the Prime Minister along with a letter by the Society president today.

Talking to mediapersons in this connection, Society secretary Khaidem Mani observed that rather than promoting peace and brotherhood, the Act has created more enmity and hatred.

So, the opposition of BJP and Indian Army to the demand for scrapping or amendment of the Act is against the interest of the people.

In the first place, such draconian Acts should have no place in a country like India which considers itself as the largest democracy in the world.

Imposition of the Act in times of war or external aggression may be understandable.

But its prolonged imposition has almost reduced North East region to a colony, Mani observed.

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