Manipur government urges central review of AFSPA reimposition amid ongoing violence

With Centre reimposing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, under which an area is declared as "disturbed" in Manipur's six police station areas, including the violence-hit Jiribam, Manipur cabinet has decided to recommend to the Central Government to review and withdraw the said declaration of areas failing under the jurisdiction of six police stations.

The state government in a letter to Union ministry of Home Affairs stated, I am directed to invite reference to the Central Government's Notification No. S.O 4921(E) dated 14-11-2024 regarding the imposition of Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1956 in the jurisdictions of 6 (six) Police Stations - Semkai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong and Moirang Poiice Stations.The State Cabinet has deliberated upon the same in its meeting held on15-11-2024 and has decided to recommend to the Central Government to review and withdraw the said declaration of areas failing under the jurisdiction of six police stations in the State as 'disturbed area' under section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.It is accordingly requested to kindly review and withdraw the notification
dated 14-11-2024 in public interest.


The police station areas where AFSPA has been reimposed are Sekmai and Lamsang in Imphal West district, Lamlai in Imphal East district, Jiribam in Jiribam district, Leimakhong in Kangpokpi and Moirang in Bishnupur.

On October 1 this year the Manipur government imposed AFSPA in the entire state on October 1, barring 19 police station areas that include these six.

The police stations excluded from the Manipur government's October 1 order of AFSPA imposition were Imphal, Lamphal, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai, Irilbung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakching, Jiribam.

The MHA notification stated, “And whereas the security situation in the State of Manipur has been further reviewed in consultation with the stakeholders. It is noted that situation continues to remain volatile amidst ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur and intermittent firing in violence-prone areas continues in the fringe areas of Bishnupur-Churachandpur, Imphal East Kangpokpi-Imphal West and Jiribam districts with several instances of active participation of insurgent groups in heinous acts of violence. And whereas after such review, the Central Government is of the opinion that imposition of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in the below mentioned 6 (six) Police Stations of 5 districts in Manipur is warranted to carry out well-coordinated Operations by the security forces to maintain the security situation and contain the activities of insurgent groups in these areas.”

The Centre had, in April 2022, reduced the number of disturbed areas under AFSPA in many areas of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur. With significant improvement in the security situation, it was lifted from Tripura in 2015, Meghalaya in 2018 and Mizoram in the 1980s.

AFSPA was non-existent in 19 police stations of the state and especially in Imphal. Areas in and around Imphal have witnessed large scale since May 3 last year. Manipur has witnessed ethnic violence since last year. There was demand from several quarters to reimpose AFSPA in valley areas.

On March 24, 2023, AFSPA was removed from areas under the jurisdiction of Wangol, Leimakhing, Nambol and Moirang police stations. Central government had removed disturbed area from 15 police stations of Manipur on April 1, 2022. In total, 19 police stations in seven districts of Manipur have been removed from the disturbed area under AFSPA.

The ethnic violence between the non-tribals Meiteis and tribal Kuki-Zo broke out in the northeastern state on May 3 last year after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

So far, over 230 people have been killed in the strife. As many as 11,133 houses have been set on fire, out of which 4,569 homes have been completely destroyed. A total of 11,892 cases have been registered in different police stations in connection with the ethnic violence. The state government has established 302 relief camps to provide shelter to 59,414 internally displaced persons.

On 16 November 2024, farmers harvesting paddy crops at Irengbam, Bishnupur district of Manipur, faced an unprovoked assault by suspected armed miscreants who opened fire during the afternoon hours, from Aigejang. The sporadic firing endangered the lives of the farmers and appeared aimed at disrupting the harvesting activity.

Troops of Assam Rifles stationed at Irengbam, promptly responded and returned fire, forcing the attackers to retreat. Demonstrating exceptional perseverance, the troops pursued the fleeing miscreants. During the chase, they discovered a camp likely used to stage such attacks. The camp was abandoned hastily upon the arrival of Assam Rifles personnel. Numerous administrative supplies, rations, and bunkers were found at the site, which were subsequently destroyed in the presence of Kangpokpi Police.