Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 06:
Taking strong exception to the statement of Defence Minister AK Antony ruling out scrapping of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958, the Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) burnt the effigy of the Union Minister today afternoon.
The student body condemned the statement of the Defence Minister in the strongest term.
Speaking to reporters, secretary of KSA Bhopendro said that the repeal of the draconian Act has been a long standing demand of the people of Manipur.
He also cited the unparalleled campaign of Irom Sharmila who has been on fast unto death stir for the last six years demanding total repeal of the Act from all over Manipur.
Reminding that the Justice Jeevan Reddy Review Committee constituted by the Union Government had recommended the repeal of the Act, the student body said that the statement of AK Antony not to repeal the Act in the face of the people's movements including the six year long campaign of Irom Sharmila and the Review Committee's recommendation to scrap the Act was akin to treating the Manipuri people as sub-humans.