AFSPA extended: The Manipur government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) by another six months. As per the state government’s Home Department notification, the extension will come into effect from October 1. The move comes amid continued ethnic violence in the northeastern state.
This decision applies to most of the state, excluding 19 police station areas falling under the Imphal valley and a region that shares its boundary with Assam. "The state government is of the opinion after analysing the prevailing law and order situation in the state that it is not expedient to have a detailed assessment on the ground as security agencies are preoccupied with maintenance of law and order,” the notification said.
The issue of declaration of Disturbed Area status is very sensitive and may likely attract public criticism and resistance if proper care is not taken, it said.
“The governor of Manipur hereby accords approval to declare the entire state of Manipur excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations… as Disturbed Area for a period of six months with effect from 1st October" the notification signed by Commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar read.
Areas excluded from jurisdiction of AFSPA
The police station areas where the Disturbed Areas status has not been imposed include Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai, Iribung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakching, and Jiribam. These areas, which are primarily dominated by the majority Meitei community, have been excluded from the purview of the AFSPA.
The Disturbed Area status was first withdrawn from Imphal Municipality in 2004, and by April 2022, it was lifted from 15 police stations across six districts. In April 2023, the status was further removed from four more police stations. AFSPA grants extensive powers to the armed forces in these designated disturbed areas, allowing them to search, arrest, and open fire if deemed necessary.
Manipur violence
The conflict between the Hindu Meitei and Christian Kuki communities revolves around competition for land and jobs. Since May last year, more than 200 people have been killed, with thousands displaced due to the ethnic violence. The state's security forces, composed of diverse communities, continue to grapple with maintaining peace in the region.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.
(With PTI inputs)
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