The youth’s goals and way of life are profoundly impacted by AFSPA and armed conflict. Manipur, in a sense, has been part of India since 1949, but armed revolutionary parties have been engaged in an ongoing armed conflict with the Indian state. As a response, armed factions have emerged, seeking to reclaim Manipur’s lost sovereignty. In the name of counter-insurgency, the Indian state imposed AFSPA, which has brought about a significant level of violence in Manipur.
Under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the armed forces are granted absolute authority to shoot, even if it results in the death of individuals perceived as suspicious. Furthermore, the AFSPA prevents any legal action, lawsuit, or prosecution against military forces acting within the boundaries of the law.
The impact of AFSPA on civilian life in Manipur is a matter of great concern. The authorisation of military forces under this Act has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. The Act itself is considered highly inhumane, leading to the victimization of Manipur’s citizens through acts of rape, torture, abuse, and other forms of mistreatment.
Everyday activities, such as going to work or school, have become terrifying experiences due to the presence of checkpoints and the unpredictable nature of encounters with security officials.
The majority of people live in constant fear of being subjected to torture, humiliation, and abuse by the armed forces. Combing, a common practice in Manipur, often leads to human rights violations by the armed forces.
Consequently, residents of Manipur are more inclined to join the Indian army, paramilitary groups, or the state police to combat the situation rather than pursue other careers. It is not a matter of being inspired by the armed forces or possessing inherent potential; rather, the motivation stems from the terror inflicted upon them by the armed forces.
People believe that having a family member serve in the military or police ensures their family’s safety and protects them from state atrocities and torture. This sentiment is shared by a majority of families, who wish for their children to join the army or become police officers.
As a result, many young individuals abandon their educational pursuits to join the military or become police constables at an early age, leading to a loss of potential in other fields.
Their decision to join the military is driven by the desire to escape the nightmare of uncertainty, terror, instability, and conflict, thereby relieving their parents of fear regarding their children’s potential abuse or cruelty.
Consequently, the majority of young people in Manipur are likely to seek careers in the military or police, not out of personal choice, but due to the impact of militarization on society. The conflict has created a negative environment, limiting the opportunities for individuals to pursue their aspirations independently.
Given the prevailing circumstances, external factors leave our people with limited options. Horrors and instances of police violence have become a distressingly regular occurrence in our daily lives.
Paradoxically, those who are meant to protect us often instil fear within us. Joining the armed forces or police becomes the only viable option for many, purely for the safety of their families.
By being actively involved, they hope to shield themselves from abuse and torture. These realities and mindsets have developed as a consequence of the conflict, state atrocities, and brutality. A significant number of young people aspire to join the police or army, finding solace in this pursuit.
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