New Delhi [India], November 14 (HBTV): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) to six police stations in five districts of Manipur, effective immediately until March 31, 2025. This decision aims to support coordinated security operations in response to the ongoing ethnic violence in the state.
The AFSPA will be enforced in areas under the jurisdiction of the Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, and Moirang Police Stations across the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, and Bishnupur.
This extension follows a comprehensive review of Manipur’s security situation, conducted in consultation with key stakeholders. According to officials, Manipur continues to face heightened ethnic tensions and sporadic violence, including intermittent gunfire, particularly in the fringe areas between Bishnupur and Churachandpur, as well as in Imphal East, Kangpokpi, Imphal West, and Jiribam districts. Insurgent groups have reportedly been involved in acts of violence within these regions.
The re-imposition of AFSPA in specific police stations—Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, and Moirang—is intended to empower security forces to conduct coordinated operations to stabilize the region and control insurgent activity.
‘The situation continues to remain volatile amidst ongoing ethnic violence and intermittent firing in violence-prone areas, particularly on the fringes of Bishnupur-Churachandpur, Imphal East-Kangpokpi, Imphal West, and Jiribam. Insurgent groups are actively participating in violent acts. After a thorough review, the Central government has deemed the imposition of AFSPA necessary in these areas to maintain security and curb insurgent activities,’ stated the MHA’s notification.
The Manipur Government had earlier declared the entire state, excluding areas under 19 police stations, as a ‘disturbed area’ for six months effective October 1, 2024, through a notification issued on September 26, 2024, under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958).
(ANI)