Wednesday, December 22 2004 12:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Home Minister Shivraj Patil today (Dec 22, 2004) told the Rajya Sabha that there were indications of an improvement in law and order situation in Manipur.

"It (the situation) seems to be improving now. Slowly the situation seems to be improving and not deteriorating," Patil said while replying to supplementaries during Question Hour.

In reply to a question, he said that there were divergent views on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act with some groups in the State favouring its withdrawal and some in favour of its continuance.

Patil said during his interaction with about 40 groups in Manipur "different people said different things".

"Some people said it (the Act) should be withdrawn. Some said Assam Rifles should also be withdrawn," he said adding that there were some who said it should not be withdrawn for maintaining law and order.

Patil said that a committee constituted on November 19 will go into the issue of the Act and the Government will consider its views and take a decision accordingly.

The committee is headed by former Supreme Court Judge B P Jeevan Reddy and will have four members.

Patil clarified that he did not talk to any armed insurgent group during his visit to Manipur.