Centre, State to review scope of AFSPA in Manipur

Centre and Manipur government to review AFSPA scope amid ethnic violence, differing views on inclusion of more areas.

As ethnic violence continues, the Centre and the Manipur government are set to review the scope of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the northeastern State. The periodic six-month extension of the AFSPA in Manipur comes to an end on September 30.

The Union government and the State have differing views on the inclusion of more areas under the AFSPA.

Editorial | Extended exclusion: On AFSPA in Manipur

While the “disturbed area” status continues in all hill districts, the Act was gradually withdrawn from all valley districts from 2022 due to a “significant improvement” in the security situation. The provisions of the Act were withdrawn from the Imphal municipality area in 2004. Manipur has 16 districts.

A senior Union government official told The Hindu that a spectacular increase in the number of armed men in the State was a cause of concern and the rising cases of extortion and abductions were also being taken into consideration.

While the presence of armed men or village volunteers is prevalent in both valley and hill districts, the absence of the AFSPA in the valley districts makes it difficult for the armed forces to operate smoothly, officials said.

A State government official, however, said, “The situation here is not like what existed in the 1990s. Extortion and abductions are there, but we are also controlling the situation. Police are active and making arrests.”