Imphal, Nov 14: The government of India has reimposed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in six police station areas of Manipur with immediate effect till 31 Mar 2025.

Sekmai, Lamsang of Imphal West district, Lamlai of Imphal East district, Jiribam, Leimakhong of Kangpokpi district, and Moirang of Bishnupur district will be covered under AFSPA.

A notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday said the areas falling under the jurisdiction of six Police Stations in Manipur are declared as ‘disturbed areas’ under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. 1958 with immediate effect up to 31.03.2025, unless withdrawn earlier.

The Government of Manipur had declared the entire State of Manipur excluding the areas falling 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 the State of Manipur has been further reviewed in consultation with the stakeholders. It is noted that the situation 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 with 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.

UNI