The Manipur government is likely to convene a cabinet meeting in a day or two to discuss the growing demand for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the BJP-ruled Northeastern state.
The last Disturbed Areas Act declared for six months expires on December 31.
The Cabinet is likely to recommend the repeal of the ‘draconian Act’ as the Nagaland Cabinet had already adopted a resolution favouring the rollback of the act, The Hindu reported.
Former chief minister and Nagaland Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh has been pointing out that the Congress government had lifted the AFSPA from seven Assembly segments on August 12, 2004 in view of the improved law and order situation.
The government imposed the AFSPA in the State on September 8, 1980.
Congress vice-president and party spokesperson K. Meghachandra said, “Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren has been saying that under his leadership the law and order situation has improved, that all sections of people can now sleep in peace and that they no longer experience midnight knocks. If it is so, the government should lift the AFSPA”.