The Army has indicated to the Government that it is opposed to the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as it has helped contain the rampant insurgency movement in Manipur.The Army’s view — which has the approval of the Defence Ministry — was put before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting that took place at the Military Operations room in South Block today. In fact, the Army made a presentation titled ‘‘Manipur: Implementation and Implication of the withdrawal of the Act’’ before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his CCS colleagues.In the presentation, the Army discussed the pros and cons of the Act in the counter-insurgency (CI) operations in Manipur. While the top brass did not make out a case that the Act was not misused, it certainly pointed out the help it gave in tackling the insurgent groups such as PLA, UNLF, PREPAK, KYKL, KNA and others. The Army put across the point that since the Act has been in place, instances of excesses had reduced.However, given the sensitive situation in Manipur, the Home Ministry is planning to have a re-look at the Act but has ruled out its complete withdrawal. At the same time, the Government plans to send a high-level team, headed by a Minister of State for Home, to Manipur soon to assess the ground situation.Sources said the Government was willing to consider toning down the Act by amending the clauses considered ‘‘objectionable’’ by people of the state — but without blunting its edge to fight insurgency in the region. Complete withdrawal of the Act was ruled out.‘‘There may be certain clauses that could be misused but we cannot afford to leave the Army and other security forces without any powers against the insurgents,’’ disclosed a senior Home Ministry official. In fact, MoS for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal today said the Centre had not received any request from the state government for withdrawal of the Act — demands from the protestors notwithstanding. ‘‘Though it is a Central Act, it is implemented by the state government and we have not received any request from them for its withdrawal,’’ he said.Jaiswal also confirmed that the Government was considering the setting-up of a Monitoring Committee to review the situation in Manipur and suggest a long-term strategy to deal with the problems there. It would comprise people with knowledge of Manipur and some senior officials, he said.It is understood that Manipur was not initially listed in the CCS agenda that was dominated by Siachen talks, but the state found its mention as Army Chief General N.C. Vij was keen that the UPA Government be sensitised on the needs of security forces in a counter-insurgency environment.
