Imphal, December 06: In support of the struggle being launched by Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been demanding withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur for more than six years and to take up the issue for discussion in Parliament, a forum of political parties has been floated.

The Political Parties' Forum Against AFSPA was set up during a joint meeting of representatives of various National and regional political parties at Manipur Press Club here today.

With the exception of BJP and Congress Party, representatives of NCP, MSCP, RJD, NNP, BSP, MPP, CPI and CPI (M) participated in the meeting.

Announcing the formation of the forum to the media after the meeting, general secretary of NCP K Saratkumar, who has also been elected as the convenor of the forum, reacted strongly to the recent remarks of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that some of the provisions of the Act would be amended.

A delegation of the forum will be going to Delhi soon to meet the Prime Minister and other Central leaders to discuss ways and means of repealing the Act and to exert pressure for taking up the issue for discussion in Parliament, Saratkumar said.

The delegation will also urge the Centre to initiate unconditional political dialogue with various underground organisations operating in Manipur towards resolving the problem of militancy, he added.

He disclosed that though invitations were sent to the Congress and BJP to take part in the joint meeting, the two political parties failed to send their representatives.

When asked whether formation of such a forum would not be taken by the people as a ploy to beguile them specially when the next State Assembly election is just round the corner, Saratkumar asserted the step is being taken up in the interest of the people only.

Former Chief Minister and State NCP president Radhabinod Koijam who was also present, said PA Sangma has already met the Speaker for Koijam who was also present, said PA Sangma had already met the Speaker for taking up the issue of repealing the Act in the Parliament.

But is could not be materialised due to frequent disruption in the proceeding of the Parliament session.

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