Agatha Sangma urges PM to scrap AFSPA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 26 2009: Barely ten days after she met Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been on a fast unto death agitation demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma has requested Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to consider repealing of the controversial Army Act.

Besides personally explaining her concern for the well-being of Sharmila, the youngest Minister in the UPA Government also handed a letter to the Prime Minister during a meeting yesterday, State unit NCP president and Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam informed.

In Support of Sharmila : Agatha Sangma

In her letter to the Prime Minister, Agatha wrote, 'I earnestly request you to consider the case on its merit for repeal of the Act or alternately withdrawal of the provision of the Act in so far as its application in Manipur is concerned, so that Ms Sharmila can end her fast and her precious life be saved'.

In the letter she further conveyed the Prime Minister that during her recent visit to Manipur, people drew her attention to the atrocities being perpetrated by the security forces under Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

''This was very much in my mind and therefore, I visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital on the 17th June, 2009 and met Ms Irom Sharmila who is on hunger strike till death for over eight years.

It was a memorable moment for me.

I assured Ms Sharmila that I will take up the issue before the Government for repeal of the Act'', Agatha wrote.

'' Sir, I know that this issue is very much in your mind and therefore, I earnestly request you to consider the case on its merit for repeal of the Act or alternately withdrawal of the provision of the Act in so far as its application in Manipur is concerned, so that Ms Sharmila can end her fast and her precious life be saved," said Agatha.

It may be recalled here that on her recent Manipur visit, Agatha observed that the leaders of the North east region are against the Act and even the Jeevan Reddy Commission's report had rejected the provisions of the same.