Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Thursday said the Centre is willing to meet the agitating organisations of Manipur who are demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act citing atrocities by security forces.

The state government had in August repealed the Act from the Imphal municipal area following widespread protests, which erupted after a woman, Th Manorama Devi, was allegedly raped and killed by Assam Rifles jawans on July 11.

After a meeting with state Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, Patil told reporters that Apunba Lup, an amalgam of 32 agitating organisations in the state, had expressed a desire to hold discussions with the Centre.

"We are willing to meet them but the proper thing will be that they should first meet the state government's representatives," he said.

Asked about the withdrawal of the controversial AFSPA, Patil said, "This is a decision which will not be taken by me alone. If there is a need to review it, the same has to be done by the law ministry."

The Union Cabinet would then discuss the issue before a final decision is taken.

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Earlier, emerging from the meeting with Patil, Ibobi Singh claimed that the Centre had agreed to review some portions of the AFSPA but ruled out a complete withdrawal.

"They (protesters) are insisting for it (withdrawing the Act from the entire state). But at this juncture, it is not possible to withdraw further.

"Only when there is no extortion, secessionist or separatist movement and there is complete normalcy, can it be withdrawn from the entire state," the chief minister said.

Apunba Lup representatives are willing to talk with both the state and central governments. "The Union home minister is also ready to talk to them," he added.