AFSPA is back in six police station jurisdictions in Manipur after fresh spate in Violence

Days after fresh incidents of violence claiming several lives, the Union Home Ministry has re-imposed Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in jurisdiction of six police stations in Manipur. The Home Ministry on Thursday under the ‘Disturbed Area’ notification has identified Sekmai and Lamsang police stations in Imphal West, Lamlai in Imphal East, Moirang in Bishnupur, Leimakhong in Kangpokpi, and Jiribam police station where AFSPA has been imposed. AFSPA has been there in place in Manipur since except 19 Meitei dominated police station jurisdictions in the valley regions. 

The Union Home Ministry has also admitted that situation continues to be volatile in several parts of Manipur, nearly 19 months into the ongoing ethnic conflict that first started on May 3, 2023 and tore apart the state. “And whereas the security situation in the state of Manipur has been further reviewed in consultation with the stakeholders. It js 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”, read the MHA notification. 

Fresh trouble broke out on November 7 in Jiribam, a tribal woman was allegedly raped, shot at and then burnt by miscreants, leading to fresh protests and widespread violence. Following the incident two senior citizens were killed after armed militants launched an attack on a relief centre located inside Borobekra Police Station in Jiribam district on Monday. The same day a nearby CRPF camp was also attacked. In retaliatory encounter at least 10 ‘militants’ were gunned down by central forces. Six people including 3 women and 3 children are still missing. Meanwhile a woman farmer was shot dead in Bishnupur district last week after militants attacked farmers on a paddy field. 

AFSPA allows armed forces to “fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death” against “any person who is acting in contravention of any law or order” if situation warranted. It also shield forces from prosecution under the Act except with the sanction of the Central Government. Meanwhile Centre has deployed additional 20 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), consisting of 2000 personnel after the fresh breakout of violence.