Guwahati: The Manipur Home Department has prolonged the enforcement of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA, 1958, for an additional six months in the state.
This extension, however, excludes areas under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations, as per a recent notification.
Effective from April 1, the notification issued by the Commissioner (Home) stated that the state government has opted to sustain the prevailing “disturbed area” status due to the “prevailing security uncertainty posed by insurgent groups.”
This decision is made while considering the overall law and order situation in the state and the capability of state machineries.
The AFSPA grants special powers to armed forces personnel in regions classified as “disturbed areas” to conduct search operations, make arrests, and maintain law and order.
It has been effective in Manipur since the early 1980s. However, in 2004, the provisions of AFSPA were lifted from the Imphal Municipality area, covering seven assembly segments. Subsequently, in April 2022, AFSPA was revoked from areas under 15 police stations across six districts. Additionally, the disturbed area notification was rescinded from four additional police stations from April 1, 2023.
“The state government, after thorough analysis of the law-and-order situation, has deemed it necessary to maintain the ‘Disturbed Area’ status, acknowledging the sensitivity of the matter and the potential for public criticism,” the latest notification emphasised.
The notification further mentioned, “It will be premature to arrive at any conclusion or decision on such a sensitive matter without detailed assessment, thereby not appropriate to review the ‘Disturbed Area’ status of the state at the moment.”
Considering the overall law and order situation and the capability of state machineries, the state government has decided to maintain the status quo on the present Disturbed Area status in Manipur, excluding areas falling under the 19 police stations.
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The notification reads, “Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the AFSPA 1958 (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 areas falling under the 19 police stations, as Disturbed Area for a period of six months.”
The police station areas exempted from AFSPA are Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai, Irilbung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakching, and Jiribam.
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