GUWAHATI: Six months after the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 was withdrawn from the entire state, the Manipur government on Wednesday declared the entire state a ‘disturbed area’ under the AFSPA for six months in the wake of the prevailing law and order situation.
However, the status will not be implemented in areas under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations including the capital Imphal.
On March 24, AFSPA was removed from areas under the jurisdiction of Wangol, Leimakhing, Nambol and Moirang police stations.
The 19 police station areas include: Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamel, Seekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heigang, Lamlai, Iribung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakching and Joribam.
The state government, in a notification, said that the ‘violent activities of various extremist/insurgent groups warrant the use of Armed Forces in aid of civil administration in the entire state’.
“In exercise of the power conferred by section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958as amended from time to time, the Governor of Manipur hereby accords approval to declare the state of Manipur excluding the areas falling under 19 police stations as disturbed area for six months with effect from October 1,” an order issued by Manipur home commissioner Ranjit Singh stated here on Wednesday.
“The state government is of the opinion after analyzing the prevailing law and order situation in the state that it is not expedient to have a detailed assessment on the ground as the sister security agencies are preoccupied with the maintenance of law and order. Further, it will be premature to arrive at any conclusion or decision on such sensitive matter without detailed assessment, thereby not appropriate to review the Disturb Area status of the state at the moment,” the order stated.
“The issue of Disturbed Area status is very sensitive and may likely attract public criticism and resistance if proper care is not taken. Keeping in view of above and the overall law and order situation in the state and the capability of the state machinery, the state government has decided to maintain the status quo on the present disturbed area status in the state of Manipur excluding the area falling under n19 polling stations for six months,” the order also stated.
The developments came after a fresh round of protests erupted following the kidnapping and brutal killing of two students belonging to the Metei community by suspected armed men. Scores of students took to the streets and attempted to march towards chief minister N Biren Singh’s residence after the pictures of students’ bodies emerged on social media, days after the government lifted the nearly five-month ban on mobile internet services.
Condemning the the brutal killing of the two students Phijam Hemajit and Hijam Linthoingambi, who went missing on July 6, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh termed it as a heinous crime.
Addressing a press conference in Imphal on Wednesday evening, Singh maintained that the culprit would not be spared and stringent action would be taken against them as per law.
Singh said the case regarding the missing of the two teenagers was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 28.
The chief minister said he had talked with Union home minister Amit Shah regarding the case and added that the case is being taken seriously. He continued that Special Director, CBI Ajay Bhatnagar along with other 5 officials had landed in the state and had started the investigation.
The chief minister appealed to all the people of the state to have trust in the seriousness taken by the government regarding the case.
“The government knew that a large number of people had turned out at roads in different places out of emotion and anger, after seeing the viral photographs of the two students,” Singh said.
The chief minister instructed the security forces to have maximum restraint while controlling the mob and added that action would be initiated if security personnel used excessive action against the public, especially the students in controlling their agitation.
The chief minister sought the support and cooperation of the public in handling the current crisis and restoring peace in the state.
Biren also said 25 companies of central forces and 2 companies of Rapid Action Force had been deployed in 23 places of Churachandpur district and added that a process had been taken up to deploy 3 companies of central force in Behiang, maintaining that the Government is taking up steps to enforce law and order.
“We are in continuous contact with the Union home minister regarding the current situation in the state. The state government has been taking all steps to restore peace under the supervision of the Prime Minister and Union home minister,” he added.
