Delhi already has a New Year gift for Imphal: Kangla

Told that similar promises had been made in the past but the commitments never kept, Jaiswal said: ‘‘You can take it for sure that the Central government will be joining the ceremony when the fort is vacated in December this year.’’ For the other issues, it is the state government which will have to act because law and order is a state subject. ‘‘But there is no quick remedy to the problems,’’ Jaiswal added.

The collective opinion of the conglomerate of 32 civil society organizations, spearheading the present agitation, could not be assessed as police and paramilitary forces broke up a scheduled meeting at Tiddim Ground this morning where the leaders were to decide on the future course of action. By the time the announcements were made by the state chief minister and the Union minister at Raj Bhavan, curfew was clamped in the state capital paralysing normal life.

Meira Paibis (women torch-bearers) continued their dharna in different parts of the town demanding total withdrawal of the Armed Forces ‘‘black law.’’ In one such dharna, Kh. Memcha Devi said: ‘‘The options are clear. Either the black law is removed or we will remove the present government.’’

There were sharp reactions to a reported statement made by the GOC-in-C, Eastern Command J.S. Verma in Kolkata yesterday describing Th. Manorama as a cadre of PLA, having been involved in several incidents of attacks on civilians and military personnel with indigenous explosive devices. When pointed out that the statement sought to somehow justify the killing, the Union minister said that he was not aware but promised to inquire into it.

The other promises included a review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act for ‘‘its continuance or otherwise’’ before August 15, suitable and exemplary action against any armed forces member if found guilty in the army court of inquiry by July 27 and a 100 per cent adherence to the norms and guidelines while the forces are enforcing the Special Powers Act.

To be precise, Jaiswal said that the army would henceforth use women personnel whenever an action is initiated against any woman suspect. The state police will also be involved.