Sonia visits Manipur

In her second visit within a week to Manipur, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday promised to look into further relaxation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, while addressing rallies in the tribal hill districts of Tamenglong and Churachandpur. She urged the people to vote the Congress back to power for a stable government and 8220;life with dignity and security8221;. Addressing the gathering, Sonia said, 8220;Before the Congress government came to power, the treasury was bankrupt. Now things are looking up. Only a Congress government will ensure a bright future for Manipur.8221;

Pointing to various mega projects lined up for the state, she said the stress will be on sports as well. This time, however, it was left to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to reiterate the Congress stand on territorial integrity as he listed mega projects, including the 1,500 MW Tipaimukh dam project, the upgradation of Manipur University to a Central university and that of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences to AIIMS status, among others. Sonia also addressed a rally in Tamenglong. Both districts are going to the polls on February 23.