AFSPA returns to parts of strife-torn Manipur

New Delhi: The Union government on Thursday brought areas under six more police stations in five districts of ethnic violence-hit Manipur once again under the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as the situation remains volatile amid intermittent firing in violence-prone areas.

On October 1, the government had put the entire Manipur state, barring areas under 19 police stations, under AFSPA, declaring it 'Disturbed Area'. 

However, according to the latest gazette notification, a "further" review of the security situation has prompted the authorities to declare areas under six more police stations as "Disturbed Areas" under AFSPA. With this, only areas under 13 police stations in Manipur are outside the ambit of the stringent Act.

"After such review, the Central government is of the opinion that imposition of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in the below-mentioned six police stations of five 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 notification said.

The development came days after 10 suspected Hmar militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jiribam district and the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered sending of 20 additional companies of central paramilitary personnel to the restive state.  

The newly included areas are under the jurisdictions of police stations in Sekmai, Lamsang (both Imphal West district), Lamlai (Imphal East), Jiribam (Jiribam district), Leimakhong (Kangpokpi) and Moirang (Bishnupur).

"It is noted that the situation continues to remain volatile amid the 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," the notification said.

The notification said these areas will remain 'Disturbed Areas" till March 31 next year.

On Thursday, officials said security security forces seized a cache of arms and ammunition from Jiribam and Churachandpur districts.