Maintaining Status Quo, AFSPA Extended in Hill Districts

Manipur Government has extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the hill districts for another six months, excluding 19 police stations mainly in valley districts, stating that it would maintain “status quo” in the Disturbed Area notification.

The notification stated that the State government is of the opinion, after analyzing the prevailing law and order situation in the State, that it is not expedient to have detailed assessment on the ground as the "sister security agencies" are preoccupied in maintenance of law and order.

Army has been demanding extension of AFSPA in valley districts also. In the wake of the ethnic violence ongoing in the State, various tribal bodies including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) and Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) have also been demanding imposition of AFSPA in Manipur valley districts.

"In exercise of power conferred by section 3 of the armed forces ( special powers) act 1968(Act No. 28 of 1958) as amended from time to time, the Governor of Manipur hereby accords approval to declare the entire state of Manipur excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the 19 police stations as disturbed area for a period of six months with effect from  October," stated the notification on Wednesday.

The Government was of the opinion that the violent activities of various extremists/ insurgents groups warrant the use of Armed Forces in aid of civil administration in the entire State of Manipur except the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the 19 police stations such as Imphal, Lamphel, City PS, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai, Irilbung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakching and Jiribam.

Keeping in view the overall law and order situation in the State and the capability of the State machineries, the State government has decided to maintain status quo on the present disturbed area status in the state of Manipur excluding the areas falling under the 19 police stations for a period of six months with effect from 1st October, 2023.