Many people will be fasting in Imphal, Manipur from September 13 while hundreds from different countries in the world have signed the petition to fast for varying number of days (one to five) to support the 'Iron lady' from Manipur -- Irom Sharmila.
"I am optimistic of some tangible movement forward on these crucial issues in the coming days," Mufti told PDP functionaries in Srinagar.
Hundreds of protestors demanding full withdrawal of the act from the state pelted stones and destroyed a bus at Singjamei area, near Imphal.
Several social organisations have also been opposing the AFSPA, which empowers security personal to shoot any suspect even causing death, and demanding its withdrawal from the state for many years.
Irom Sharmila Chanu was re-arrested on March 8, a day after she was released from the security ward of JN Hospital in Imphal for continuing her fast unto death in protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. Irom Sharmila was arrested at the Meira Shang near Aka Tren playground where she was protesting. The 'Iron Lady' was taken into custody under IPC Section 309 for attempting to commit suicide.
Army Chief Gen MM Naravane on Wednesday described as 'highly regrettable' the December 4 firing incident in Nagaland's Mon district in which 14 civilians were killed and said 'appropriate action,' as required to uphold the law of the land, would be taken based on the investigation.
The decision to lift the curfew, imposed on the midnight of Saturday, was taken by the state government after reviewing the situation in the Valley in the day when huge deployment of security forces and sealing of entry and exit points in Srinagar foiled the march.
The chief minister said that the present situation was not ripe enough for withdrawal and any hasty step in this direction could be exploited by the militants that can result in loss of gains made over the years and can also lead to loss of lives.
A US-based human rights watchdog has urged the Indian government to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in force in Jammu and Kashmir and the north-east, alleging that it provides "impunity" for abuses and "fuels militancy".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said efforts are on to remove AFSPA completely from the northeast region.
'Students cannot sit calmly in classrooms and study in the prevailing situation,' a joint statement issued by various student bodies said.
Patil is likely to hold discussions with representatives of the groups involved in the agitation, senior security officials and state leaders.
The protestors pelted stones at the Singjamei police station on Tuesday night.
Iram Sharmila has been on fast for six year deamading the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Dr Singh said a number of assurances made by him during his previous visit to the state two years back have been kept.
The panel, comprising parliamentarians, politicians and representatives from Manipur, will 'review' the Act and replace it by a more 'humane' one.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Thursday said some innocent people had lost lives in the past few years and urged the Centre to review or modify the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Manipuri organisations which oppose special powers to the army are open to holding talks with centre and state
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah on Wednesday said no peace talks were possible 'under the shadow' of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and termed Union home minister Amit Shah's statement in Parliament on the botched counter-insurgency operation as 'irresponsible.'
Markets, shops, business establishments remained closed, reports said.
The inquiry will focus on the "intelligence" and the "circumstances" on which Saturday's operation was based on.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, however, said he would not tolerate violent agitations that are being organised by a few groups in the state.
Twenty people were on Friday detained under the National Security Act.
A 6-member delegation will be meeting the Prime Minister next week in Delhi.
The Cabinet is meeting today to discuss the situation arising out of the agitation to press for the withdrawal of the Act.
Official sources said that except for some district level officers, a large majority of employees did not report to duty despite the state government's warnings to initiate action against those who did not attend office.
At the meeting, it was felt that army operations should continue in the state in view of the recent success gained against insurgents.
The police doused the flames but three of the youth received serious burn injuries, official sources said
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced last week in Imphal that the government was considering amendments in AFSPA, which has evoked resentment from a cross-section of the people of Manipur where it is in force.
Manipur has been experiencing unrest on account of the people's unhappiness with the alleged misuse of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. They are demanding that it be repealed.
It termed the protest against the Armed Forces (Special Powers)\n\nAct, 1958, as an 'emotional outburst'.\n\n
The latter have been demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act citing atrocities by security forces.
The state government declared closure of all educational institutions on Wednesday to prevent the students from carrying out their protest.
Chittaranjan doused himself with kerosene and set himself ablaze August 15.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday said his government will continue to work for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state.
The 32 organisations spearheading the stir against AFSPA have separately called a 14-hour Manipur valley bandh.
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