Call for reimposition of AFSPA in valley areas

Imphal: Tribal bodies in violence-hit Manipur have urged the Centre to remove state police forces from Kuki-Zo dominated areas and reimpose the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958 in the valley areas.In areas where the Kukis are in a majority, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) had called for a 24-hour shutdown till Wednesday midnight and have now urged the central government to remove state forces from the border town of Moreh and impose AFSPA in the valley region. In the meanwhile, the SP and in-charge of the special commando unit, Khabeisoi, Th Krishnatombi Singh, have written a letter to the additional DGP (law and order), requesting requisition of arms and ammunition for effective deployment of police officers and personnel at Moreh town in Tengnoupal district. The CoTU appealed to the additional DGP not to issue the requested arms and ammunition, stating that it poses a threat to the existence of the Kuki-Zo community.