Entire Manipur Declared As ‘Disturbed Area’ Under AFSPA

Imphal: The Manipur government on Wednesday declared the entire state a “disturbed area” for a period of six months under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in view of prevailing law and order situation.

However, the ‘disturbed area’ status won’t be applicable to 19 specific police station areas.

“The violent activities of various extremist/insurgent groups warrant the use of the Armed Forces in aid of civil administration in the entire state of Manipur,” the notification said.

“In view of 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 for a period of six months,” it further stated.

Almost five months after ethnic strife hit the north-eastern state, violence has continued sporadically.

Imphal saw fresh protests and violence from Tuesday after the kidnapping and killing of two students.

Student groups organised massive protest rallies where they clashed with Rapid Action Force (RAF), leaving at least 45 injured.

The students — Phijam Hemjit (20) and Hijam Linthoingambi (17) – were missing since July. Images surfaced online recently, one of those purportedly showing the students with two armed men and the other of two bodies.

The case of the two youths’ killing has been handed over to the CBI.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured the people of the state that “both the state and central government are closely working together to nab the perpetrators.”

Manipur Police, CRPF and RAF personnel have been deployed in big numbers in Imphal and other parts of the state to tackle possible violence.

On Tuesday, the state government reimposed the ban on internet services for five days.