Imphal, Manipur, October 1 (HBTV): The Disturbed Area status for Manipur has been extended for six months with effect from Tuesday in the ethnic violence-hit state, excluding areas under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations.

In a notification, commissioner (home) N Ashok Kumar said the state government has decided to maintain the status quo citing violent activities of extremist and insurgent groups, the overall law and order situation, and the capability of the state machinery. It said the government analyzed the law-and-order situation and that it is not expedient to have a detailed assessment on the ground.

The notification said the security agencies are preoccupied with the maintenance of law and order. 

 “Further 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,” said the notification dated September 26.

The notification stated that governor of Manipur is of the opinion that the violent activities of various extremist and insurgent groups warrant the use of Armed Forces in aid of the civil administration in Manipur. The exception is for areas falling under the jurisdiction of the 19 police stations under Imphal, Lamphel City , Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai, Irilbung, Jiriibam, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakching, and Thoubal.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which has been in effect in Manipur since the early 1980s, is modeled on the colonial-era ordinance. It grants special powers to the forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. It has faced much scrutiny for granting sweeping powers to the forces.   

The AFSPA prohibits prosecutions without the go-ahead from the Union government if the allegations are linked to duty. A prior sanction from the Union government is needed for any legal proceedings against the armed forces operating in areas where the AFSPA is implemented. The AFSPA was revoked from the Imphal municipality area in 2004, areas under 15 police stations across six districts in April 2022, and four police stations from April 2023.