'Centre must grant freedom fighter status, who fought during emergency'

New Delhi : An organisation on Saturday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi grant freedom fighter status to those who protested the Emergency rule.

In a statement, the members of Akhil Bhartiya Loktantra Senani Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti claimed governments of 10 states have announced an honour amount and promised benefits to the victims of Emergency.

During the Emergency, a controversial law Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) was passed giving the administration of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi powers to detain individuals and sieze property without warrants.

Organisation president Govardhan Prasad Atal said: "The Emergency fighters in the remaining 21 states should also be granted the status of 'freedom fighters' and provided with proper pension to live a dignified life."

Atal said that steps should be taken to sensitise the police so that citizens do not face such actions.