-The Telegraph
Former Union home secretary G.K. Pillai today called for repealing the Armed Forces (Special Forces) Act in Manipur, a demand that has spawned the world’s longest hunger strike by activist Irom Sharmila.
Pillai also said the Centre should “apologise to the people of Manipur for past mistakes”, though the remark was made in a larger historical context about the lack of development.
“The AFSPA’s repeal is overdue. Give them (the armed forces) protection in a different way. Repeal will have a major psychological impact,” Pillai said at a lecture on Manipur.
Before retiring in June, Pillai had said the Centre was considering withdrawing the act, whose alleged misuse led to Sharmila’s agitation and other protests.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has spoken of replacing the act with a more “humane” law. Home minister P. Chidambaram has echoed the view. The Centre-appointed Justice Jeevan Reddy panel has favoured the repeal.