Manipur crisis: Hills remain under Afspa, Imphal stays out of its purview

GUWAHATI: The Manipur government extend Wednesday the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (Afspa) in the state for another six months, beginning from October 1, reports Prabin Kalita.

However, it will not be enforced in areas under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations, maintaining the same status as the previous term that lasted from April to September.




The government chose to maintain the status quo, neither expanding the areas covered by the act nor lifting it from existing areas, fearing public backlash. This decision comes amid conflicting demands within the state. While one group had called for imposition of Afspa in Imphal valley and its removal from the hill districts, another had rejected both demands.




The areas outside Afspa’s purview covers 19 police stations in seven districts, including Imphal, City, Thoubal, and Bishnupur. The valley, particularly Imphal city, has been the theatre of intense protests, mob violence, and arson during the ongoing ethnic conflict. Most attacks in the sectarian violence since May 3 have occurred along the inter-district boundaries in the valley, which are now labelled as buffer zones patrolled by security forces. Security sources said Afspa remains in the hill areas because they border Myanmar, which serves as a haven for several insurgent groups.

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