New Delhi: The Centre will consider a review of the controversial Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSFA), against which an agitation is on in Manipur, and replace it with a more "humane" law.

This assurance was given by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who will visit Manipur later this month, to a 10-member delegation of an amalgam of outfits agitating against the AFSFA in the aftermath of custodial killing of Manorama Devi.

"The Prime Minister assured the delegation that his Government will consider reviewing the AFSPA and will also consider how a more humane act can be put in place keeping in view the National Security and human rights of the people of this country," a spokesperson of the Prime Minister said in a statement after an hour-long meeting with the delegation of Apunba Lup today (Nov 1, 2004).

Reading out from the statement to the media, he said, "The Prime Minister hopes and believes that the meeting will add a new chapter to the history of Manipur." He said that the Prime Minister would be visiting Manipur later this month.

The spokesperson said that the Prime Minister had asked the delegation to continue the process of dialogue with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. They are likely to meet Patil tomorrow.

Arambam Lokendra, who led the delegation, told reporters that the amalgam leaders were happy that the Prime Minister gave them a patient hearing on their one-line demand for withdrawal of AFSPA.