New Delhi: Representatives of Manipuri organisations demanding withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act may hold discussions in the first week of November with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil to be followed by tripartite talks involving the State Government, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said today (Oct 26, 2004).

Representatives of Apunba Lup, an umbrella body of 32 Manipuri organisations, are at present holding discussions with Governor S S Sidhu on the issue and "if necessary they will talk to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister," he told reporters in New Delhi.

He said they were "tentatively scheduled" to come to Delhi in the first week of November for talks with the Central leaders.

"If the Centre approves, we will also have joint talks with them and the Centre," Singh said.

The Apunba Lup has been spearheading protests against the Special Powers Act in the North Eastern State following the alleged custodial killing of Manorama Devi by Assam Rifles jawans in July.

The Home Minister had held a round of talks with representatives of Apunba Lup once earlier, but nothing concrete was achieved.

Singh said there had been an "excellent improvement" in the ground situation in Manipur, which had become "almost peaceful".

"However, we are trying to achieve complete peace," he added.