Manipur: AFSPA extended in state for 6 months

Guwahati: The Manipur government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another six months with effect from Tuesday (October 1) in the strife-torn state, excluding the areas under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations.

A notification issued by Manipur Home Commissioner N Ashok Kumar said that 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.

The notification also said the Manipur government analysed the law and order situation in the state and it is not expedient to have a detailed assessment on the ground.

It further said the security forces were preoccupied in maintaining the law and order situation in the violence-hit state.

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“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,” it said.

The AFSPA grants special powers to the Indian armed forces to maintain public order in the “disturbed areas.”

The act has been in effect in Manipur since the early 1980s.

However, in 2004, AFSPA was revoked from the Imphal municipality area.

In April 2022, the act was revoked in areas under the jurisdiction of 15 police stations spread across six districts of the state.

Again in April 2023, it was revoked in areas under the jurisdiction of four police stations.