Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil will be in Manipur for two days from September 5 in the backdrop of a state-wide agitation by 32 organisations demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
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is likely to hold discussions with representatives of the groups involved in the agitation, senior security officials and state leaders.
A working committee of the 32 organisations spearheading the stir said it wanted to know whether Patil's proposed visit was connected with the people's demand for withdrawal of AFSPA or not.
"The proposed visit of the minister is like giving medicine to a dead person," a statement released by the committee said.
Official sources said a detailed report on the situation in the state would be submitted to the Centre before the home minister's visit.
The alleged rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama by some Assam Rifles personnel on July 11 last at Ngariyan area in Imphal East district sparked off the protests against AFSPA.
Protests, processions and rallies have paralysed life in the Imphal valley since. A student leader, Pebam Chitaranjan, died following self-immolation on August 15.
A 20-year old girl, Kangjam Memita, who had participated in a protest rally and was hit by a police tear gas shell at
Lamlai area in Imphal East district, also died on August 12.
