Imphal, Sept 27: In view of the prevailing situation in the ethnic violence devastated Manipur, the state government on Wednesday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the entire state excluding 19 police station areas including Imphal.
A notification issued by the Commissioner (Home) T. Ranjit Singh said that the Governor of Manipur hereby accords approval to declare the entire state of Manipur, excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the 19 police stations, as a “Disturbed Area” for a period of six months with effect from October 1.
The “Disturbed Area” under the AFSPA was in force in the same areas earlier, and its tenure lapsed recently.
Meanwhile, many students were injured on Wednesday after security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the agitating students in Imphal’s Moirangkhom areas, about 200 metres from the Chief Minister’s secretariat.
Police said that the agitating students pelted stones at the security forces, who then fired tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the mob.
The students of various schools are agitating for the second day on Wednesday against the kidnapping and killing of two young students, including a girl, who went missing on July 6 and whose photographs went viral on social media on Monday.
The students, raising slogans of “we want justice”, were heading towards the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s bungalow and the security forces prevented them leading to the clash.
On the other hand, the women’s wing of Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), the leading tribal body, staged a massive demonstration in Churachandpur protesting against the delay in CBI probe into the killing and rape of tribals during the ethnic violence, which broke out on May 3.
Extending the “Disturbed Area”, the Commissioner (Home) said that the Governor of Manipur is of the opinion that the violent activities of various extremist/insurgent groups warrant the use of Armed Forces in aid of civil administration in the entire state of Manipur except the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the 19 Police Stations – Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai, Irilbung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakching and Jiribam.
“…..it will be premature to arrive at any conclusion or decision on such a sensitive matter without detailed assessment; thereby not appropriate to review the “Disturbed Area” status of the state at the moment.
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. Keeping in view the above and the overall law and order situation in the state and the capability of the state machineries, the state government has decided to maintain status quo on the present disturbed area status in the state of Manipur excluding the areas falling under the 19 police stations,” the notification said.
Also Read: Govt extends AFSPA in parts of Arunachal and Nagaland for 6 months
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