Taking note of growing public demand to scrap the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju promised to review the matter. During a meeting with BJP’s Manipur unit leaders on Wednesday morning in New Delhi, the minister said he would meet Union home minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the issue.
“Kirenji told us he would consult legal experts and the home secretary to understand the technical aspects of the matter,” said BJP media affairs secretary Laimayum Bashanta Sharma.
The meeting coincided with the appearance of anti-AFSPA campaigner Irom Sharmila Chanu before the metropolitan magistrate, Patiala House court, New Delhi. She was summoned in connection with a pending case against her 2006 hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar. Manipur’s ‘Iron Lady’ appeared before the metropolitan magistrate for the third time since 2006. She has been on a fast against the military act for the last 13 years.
Sharmila had expressed her desire to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge him to scrap AFSPA. BJP’s Manipur unit leaders are trying to arrange a meeting between Sharmila and the PM. AFSPA gives sweeping powers to the armed forces and is believed to violate human rights.
“Being a native of the northeast, Kirenji will definitely try his best to fulfill the people’s longstanding demand,” Bashanta said.
Meanwhile, Union minister of state for environment and forest Prakash Javadekar will visit Manipur soon to understand the issues that fall within his portfolio. Javadekar, who frequently visited Manipur during BJP’s poll campaign, promised to develop Loktak, the largest freshwater lake in the northeast, Bashanta said, adding that a date will be determined for his visit.
“We will consult subject experts to boost environmental safety and safeguard the state’s flora and fauna. Their feedback will be submitted to the minister to ensure the necessary funds,” he added.
~NagalandPost
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