Centre washes hands off Manipur

The Centre dissociated itself from the action of the Congress-led government in Manipur in lifting the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Imphal and Greater Imphal and said the action was "against the advice given by the Union government" but did not indicate that any drastic action would be taken immediately like imposition of President's Rule or dismissing the state government.

It did, however, point out that even after the lifting of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, there had been no change in the situation in Manipur, hinting that the Centre might reimpose the act over the head of the Manipur government.

A statement made by Home Minister Shivraj Patil in both Houses of Parliament noted that Manipur had been facing insurgency and militancy for many years and that it was declared as a disturbed area and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act was used in the entire state.

"Some people in the state are agitating to see that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is withdrawn" the statement said, citing the state government's argument ""that it lifted the act in parts of the state because "the Act did not meet the expectations of the people in the state".

The statement also noted that Manorama Devi's body was found in the field with bullet injuries and that she had allegedly been killed by Assam Rifles.

It said the state government had ordered a judicial enquiry and the "armed forces have started proceeding against those who are alleged to have been responsible for the incident". But, it noted "there had been no change in the situation even after the Act was withdrawn from the city of Imphal".

Top government sources said the government is chary of taking any action immediately ""both because Parliament is sitting and also because any drastic action could lead the situation to spiral out of control.

However, it is looking to break the movement of the militants and a manhunt was launched yesterday for the leaders of the 32 student and other organisations who are running the movement against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and for the removal of Assam Rifles from the state.

Meanwhile, holding the Centre responsible for the "mess" in Manipur, the CPI yesterday said it may now be difficult to contain the "tremendous anger" of the people demanding withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

"The problems have arisen only because of the Centre. I had met senior ministers immediately after violence erupted in the state a month ago and asked the act be withdrawn, but no action was taken," CPI General Secretary AB Bardhan said.

The CPI is a partner in the coalition government in Manipur headed by O Ibobi Singh.

Bardhan alleged that the Centre "seemed to have no policy" on how to deal with the "mess" in the state where agitation has been continuing demanding withdrawal of the Act since the alleged custodial killing of a woman on July 11.

Though the Act was withdrawn by the state government from the Imphal Municipal area, the agitation continued with protestors demanding that it be withdrawn from the entire state.

"It was necessary right at the beginning (of the agitation) to isolate the insurgent groups. Now the tremendous anger of the people is hard to contain," Bardhan said.

The CPI leader said even imposing President's Rule was likely to have little effect. "What can they do, shoot people on the streets," he asked.

Two persons have died during the agitation in Manipur.

While a student leader committed self-immolation, a woman died after being hit by a tear gas shell thrown by police.