IMPHAL, December 10: The Janata Dal (United), Manipur State supports Irom Chanu Sharmila and her movement demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 said the party`™s State president M Tombi during a press meet held at their Babupara office today.
Tombi said the Act cannot suppress the disturbances and violence happening in the State, but it can certainly help the high ranking officials of security forces in drug smuggling.
Lamenting the extension of the Disturb Area Status in the State for another year, he said the issue has been notified to the Rajya Sabha chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari through the party`™s national president Sharad Yadav.
The chairman has been apprised that calls from all walks of life demanding repeal of the AFSPA are reverberating, however, the government has continued to remain silent and oblivious to the issue, he said.
He said he has also appealed the Civil Aviation Ministry to introduce an additional direct flight connecting the State capital with the national capital.
Meanwhile, secretary general of the JD (U) Manipur unit, Lein Gangte said the food stalls of the State at both the INA and Pitampura Delhi Haats are in deplorable conditions and appealed the government to look into the issue.
He further condemned that a land plot in Sector 18, Gurgaon- plot no 88- which had been granted to the State by the Centre for the construction of a Manipur Institute of performing Arts is also in a deplorable condition.