Imphal: Three decades after it was imposed in Manipur to deal with insurgents, the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is still an issue used by parties during electioneering for the January 28 Assembly poll in the state.
While parties like the BJP and NCP are in favour of creating an atmosphere for removing the AFSPA, CPI(M) and Manipur People's Party (MPP), the oldest regional party of the state, were for outright removal of the Act.
The ruling Congress, however, was yet to declare its views on the Act which was imposed in Manipur in September, 1980 when insurgent activities were at its peak in the state.
While releasing the party manifesto, NCP general secretary PA Sangma had said his party would create an atmosphere for removal of the Act if his party came to power.
NCP would raise the issue during campaigning, he said. The BJP too has said in its manifesto that it would create an atmosphere and bring law and order situation to normalcy so that the AFSPA would be no longer necessary.
Leaders of the Congress were tight-lipped about its position on the act, saying the state unit was in consultation with the High Command to bring out its manifesto.
A spokesman of the Manipur People's Party (MPP), which had ruled the state twice, said the party would work for removal of the Act from the state if it came to power.
Asked why they did not remove the Act when it was in power, the spokesman said the situation was different then.
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