• By Kamal Kumar
  • Tue, 01 Oct 2024 12:00 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

The Manipur government on Monday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) by another six months in the state excluding 19 police stations falling in Imphal Valley and a region which shares boundary with Assam.

Releasing a notification late in the Monday evening the Manipur Home Department said that the extension will come into effect from October 1.

"The state government is of the opinion after analysing the prevailing law and order situation in the state that it is not expedient to have a detailed assessment on the ground as security agencies are preoccupied with maintenance of law and order," the notification said.

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The extension followed the increase in the incidents of violence across the state.

The issue of declaration of Disturbed Area status is very sensitive and may likely attract public criticism and resistance if proper care is not taken, it said.

"The governor of Manipur hereby accords approval to declare the entire state of Manipur excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations... as Disturbed Area for a period of six months with effect from 1st October" the notification signed by Commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar read, Press Trust of India reported.

The police station areas where the Disturbed Areas have not been imposed include Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai, Iribung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakching and Jiribam.

The areas that have been kept out of the purview of AFSPA are dominated by the majority Meitei community.

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The Disturbed area tag was first withdrawn from the Imphal Municipality areas in 2004 and was removed from 15 police stations in six districts in April 2022.

The disturbed area was removed from the other four police stations in April 2023. The AFSPA gives sweeping powers to the armed forces operating in disturbed areas to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary.

(With PTI inputs)