Decision on withdrawal of AFSPA soon

...............says Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee

A decision to repeal the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) currently being applied across insurgent-hit North East India will be announced soon, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said today.

"The recommendations of the high powered Review Committee have been discussed with the Home Minister and a decision would be taken by the Government soon," Mukherjee said on the sidelines of a Coast Guard investiture ceremony in the Capital.

The Review Committee had submitted its report to the Government six months ago. It was set up in wake of a widespread agitation in Manipur following the alleged rape and murder of a woman by Assam Army personnel in July 2004. [More]

We can only hope the decision is favorable. Much have been written about it, and what I add would only be repetition, but if indeed the centre wants to integrate the whole country, we better do away with such things as will only alienate us.