Imphal, October 17 2009: Noted Advocate Khaidem Mani, Secretary of Senior Citizens for Society (SCS) today announced that the steps are being taken to pave way for a dialouge between the state government and the agitating Working Committee of the Apunba Lup (WCAL) by softening their firm stands.

The SCS initiated the steps as per the appeal of the people to both the agitating Apunba Lup and the government on October 14 last, Advocate Mani said.

However, neither side has given the SCS the responsibility to take the role of mediator between the two parties for negotiation.

Yet the SCS has taken the onus on its own in the interest of the people of the state, he said.

Khaidem Mani further said that they had met with three co-ordinators of the Apunba Lup yesterday and held talks on the demands placed by them to the government.

They made clear their demands for the resignation of the Chief Minister on moral ground, dismissal and punishment of all the police commandos involved in the July 23 incident, appropriate actions against the high ranking police officials who tried to cover up the 'fake encounter', to release all the Apunba Lup leaders who have been arrested by the police without any condition, to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, and to stop state terrorism, said the advocate.

They also met with two Cabinet Ministers including the spokesperson of the SPF government, N Biren and explained the demands of the Apunba Lup.

Even though the Ministers expressed doubt of fulfilling all the demands of the Apunba Lup by the government, they assured of apprising the Chief Minister of the development, he said.

Mani also observed that fulfilling all the demands by the government is not expected, but he believed that the government would consider the demands which could be agreed to.

As both sides have the knowledge of what they wanted or demanded, there is the possibility of bringing the agitating Apunba Lup to the negotiating table with the government, he expressed confidence.

Arriving at an amicable agreement depends on both sides, Mani opined.

The SCS took up the steps taking into consideration the future of the student community who had been put into an uncertain and chaotic situation by the prolonged class boycott.

However, it will take some time, Mani said.

While the SCS is working for bringing the Apunba Lup to the negotiating table, it will be better for the government to stop hunting for members and leaders of the Lup for some time, and also the Lup should stop using harsh words against the government, he observed.

Advocate Mani also appealed to the student bodies and other civil society organisations who want to bring an end to the prevailing crisis to extend co-operation to the Senior Citizens for Society on its efforts towards that goal.

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