The Hindu : Front Page : 'Assam Rifles will be shifted from Kangla Fort'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 12, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

'Assam Rifles will be shifted from Kangla Fort'

By Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

NEW DELHI, AUG. 11. The Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, today said the Government was seized of the situation in Manipur and it was willing to do everything possible — including shifting the Assam Rifles out of the Kangla Fort and its withdrawal from the State. But he parried a question on the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act whose repeal is being sought by the people of the State.

Mr. Patil said the Centre would go by the "expert opinion" to decide on the Act. "It is a legal issue and I would not like to comment on it."

Mr. Patil, who was speaking after inaugurating the new premises of the National Institute of Disaster Manager, said the Assam Rifles would "vacate the fort" as it has become an emotional issue for the people of the State. Pointing out that the Government had "agreed to all their demands," he said it was taking all steps to assuage their feelings. The people of Manipur "are our brothers who are very peace loving and intelligent," and it was the responsibility of the Government to address their problems.

Boycott call

On the call by militant outfits to boycott the Independence Day celebrations and observe a strike, the Minister said he was not aware of such a call and the Government had to see who had issued such a call, who were the ones agitating and what the silent population thought about the whole issue.

On the killing of Manorama Devi that had led to the mass agitation in Manipur, he said a court of inquiry had been instituted and the officials concerned had informed him that action had been taken against the accused personnel.

Stating that there was no difference between the Defence Ministry and the Home Ministry on the issue, Mr. Patil said: "What is essential is being done." He said a new cantonment area had been constructed and provisions for water, electricity and roads were being made so that the forces were able to move in soon.

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