Patil to visit Manipur on September 5

Home Minister would hold discussions with representatives of various groups and security officials besides state leaders in Manipur.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil would pay a two-day visit to Manipur on September 5 to assess the situation in the state in view of the demand by 32 organisations demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, official sources said on Monday.

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Sources said Patil would hold discussions with representatives of various groups and security officials besides state leaders.

Meanwhile, the working committee of the 32 organisations spearheading the current stir on Monday said it wanted to know whether Patil's proposed visit to the state was connected with the people's demand for withdrawal of the act or not.

If the visit was not connected with the demand, the committee said in a statement, it would be better for the Central leader not to visit the state.

The statement said "the proposed visit of the minister was like giving medicines to a death person and added "that either the minister should have visited the state in the beginning of the more than 50-day day agitation or initiated steps for lifting the act.

The statement said "the Centre's attitude for not understanding the sentiments and feeling of people indicated that they (Centre) had neglected the people in the region".

Official sources said a detailed report giving the present situation of the state would be submitted to the Centre before the visit of the Home minister.