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Bill on AFSPA defeated in Manipur Assembly
A private member resolution bill seeking to repeal the AFSPA 1958 from Manipur was defeated in the state assembly.
A private member resolution bill seeking to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 from Manipur was defeated in the state assembly with 36 members of ruling Secular Progressive Front ministry opposing it and 16 opposition members supporting it.
Replying to the bill on Thursday night, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said the Centre had set up a committee to review the Act and it was not proper and would be hasty if the assembly passed the private member resolution bill to repeal the Act.
He said members of the committee would be visiting Manipur on December 27 and appealed to public to interact with committee members and express their views.
Moving the bill, L Ibomcha Singh of Federal Party of Manipur (FPM) said the Act was against the interest of the people and added that the House passes a resolution for repeal of the Act to exert pressure on the central government.
I Hemochandra Singh (FPM), O Joy Singh and Nimaichand Luwang (Manipur People's Party) and senior BJP member RK Dorendra Singh spoke in support of the bill and said human rights were violated by the security forces by misusing provisions of the Act.
After several hours of discussions, the bill was put to vote by CPI member M Nara Singh who presided the House in the absence of Speaker TN Haokip.
While 36 ruling members opposed the bill, 16 opposition members supported the bill. The Presiding Officer then announced that the bill was defeated. Manipur assembly has 60 members.
