NEW DELHI: The Manipur government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act ( AFSPA ) for another six months, effective from October 1. However, 19 police station areas in the Imphal valley and a region bordering Assam have been excluded from the extension.
"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 Home Department of the state government issued a notification saying that the prevailing law and order situation in the state does not allow for a detailed assessment on the ground, as security agencies are focused on maintaining law and order.
The notification also mentioned that the declaration of disturbed area status is a sensitive issue and may attract public criticism and resistance if not handled carefully. The governor of Manipur has approved the declaration of the entire state, excluding the areas under the jurisdiction of the 19 police stations, as a disturbed area for six months.
"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.
The police station areas where AFSPA has not been imposed are predominantly inhabited by the Meitei community , which constitutes the majority in Manipur.
The disturbed area tag was first removed from the Imphal Municipality areas in 2004, and subsequently, it was withdrawn from 15 police stations in six districts in April 2022 and four more police stations in April 2023.
AFSPA grants extensive powers to the armed forces operating in disturbed areas, allowing them to search, arrest, and open fire if deemed necessary. Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis since May 3 last year, resulting in the loss of more than 200 lives and the displacement of thousands.
Meiteis makeup about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and primarily reside in the Imphal valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, account for 40 per cent and mostly inhabit the hill districts.
"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 Home Department of the state government issued a notification saying that the prevailing law and order situation in the state does not allow for a detailed assessment on the ground, as security agencies are focused on maintaining law and order.
The notification also mentioned that the declaration of disturbed area status is a sensitive issue and may attract public criticism and resistance if not handled carefully. The governor of Manipur has approved the declaration of the entire state, excluding the areas under the jurisdiction of the 19 police stations, as a disturbed area for six months.
"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.
The police station areas where AFSPA has not been imposed are predominantly inhabited by the Meitei community , which constitutes the majority in Manipur.
The disturbed area tag was first removed from the Imphal Municipality areas in 2004, and subsequently, it was withdrawn from 15 police stations in six districts in April 2022 and four more police stations in April 2023.
AFSPA grants extensive powers to the armed forces operating in disturbed areas, allowing them to search, arrest, and open fire if deemed necessary. Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis since May 3 last year, resulting in the loss of more than 200 lives and the displacement of thousands.
Meiteis makeup about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and primarily reside in the Imphal valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, account for 40 per cent and mostly inhabit the hill districts.
You may also like
Shibasish Sarkar secures third term as President of the Producers Guild of India
Harry Potter fans pick 'best' film of the series as they rank the movies from best to worst
Inside David Suchet's life after Poirot from Agatha Christie return to new career
Max Verstappen urged to snub FIA and take Lewis Hamilton's advice
