Imphal, Nov 14 (Agencies): The Centre has reimposed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas of Manipur with immediate effect till March 31, 2025.
AFSPA will cover Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong and Moirang. The Home Ministry’s notification on Thursday said the areas under the jurisdiction of six police stations are declared as ‘disturbed areas’ under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. 1958 with immediate effect.
The state government declared the entire Manipur excluding the areas under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations listed as “disturbed area” for six months with effect from October 2024.
The notification stated that the security situation in Manipur has been further reviewed in consultation with the stakeholders. It is noted that the problem continues to remain volatile amidst ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur and intermittent firing in violence-prone areas continues in the fringe areas of Bishnupur-Churachandpur. Imphal East-Kangpokpi-Imphal West and Jiribam districts have several instances of active participation of insurgent groups in heinous acts of violence.
The Central Government believes that the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. 1958 in the six Police Stations of 5 districts in Manipur is warranted to carry out well-coordinated Operations by the security forces to maintain the security situation and contain the activities of insurgent groups.
Under AFSPA the army will be empowered to kill anybody on mere suspicion. The army will also be empowered to conduct searches and operations. The victims need permission from the Union Home Minister to approach the Court.
The places where AFSPA has been imposed are the areas where Kuki militants have launched a series of attacks of late, burning houses, burning two senior citizens alive, killing women, and abducting six women and children.
Ten Kuki militants who attacked a CRPF camp at Jiribam died in retaliation by the CRPF. Kuki militants have announced to attack on all CRPF camps and continuously fired on farmers to stop agricultural activities. The movement of vehicles on highways was stopped by the Kuki militants on May 3, 2023.
