Amid escalating violence in Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) on Thursday, extending the "Disturbed Areas" status to six police station areas across five districts, including Jiribam, a hotspot of violence. The decision comes after a review of the volatile situation in the state, with reports of ongoing clashes and insurgent activity.
The newly included areas are Sekmai and Lamsang in Imphal West, Lamlai in Imphal East, Moirang in Bishnupur, Leimakhong in Kangpokpi, and Jiribam. Previously, AFSPA had been suspended in 19 police stations in the relatively stable Meitei-dominated valley, but recent violence prompted this extension.
AFSPA grants armed forces sweeping powers to use force, including lethal measures, against individuals violating laws. It also provides legal immunity for actions taken under the Act.
The reimposition follows significant violence, including a deadly encounter in Jiribam on November 11, where 11 militants were killed in a clash with the CRPF. This incident marked a continued escalation of tensions that have plagued the state since May 2023, when inter-ethnic violence between the Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribes led to widespread unrest, leaving at least 237 dead and over 60,000 displaced.
