Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh seeks to remove AFSPA from hill areas amidst ongoing ethnic violence

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh stated in the state assembly that he desired to remove Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from hill areas however he needed to convince the central leadership regarding the removal.

AFSPA is non-existent in 19 police stations of the state and especially in Imphal. Areas in and around Imphal have witnessed large scale since May 3 last year. Manipur has witnessed ethnic violence since last year. There was demand from several quarters to reimpose AFSPA in valley areas.

In large part, the state Armed Forces Special Power Act is still prevalent. On March 24, 2023, AFSPA was removed from areas under the jurisdiction of Wangol, Leimakhing, Nambol and Moirang police stations. Central government had removed disturbed area from 15 police stations of Manipur on April 1, 2022. In total, 19 police stations in seven districts of Manipur have been removed from the disturbed area under AFSPA.

Congress MLA Leishiyo Keishing strongly criticized the AFSPA. He termed AFSPA as undemocratic and inhumane, arguing that it violates basic human rights and fosters fear rather than resolving conflict.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who also holds the Home Minister portfolio, shared his experience as journalist and human rights advocate, he said he was harassed by security forces while he was journalist. Singh acknowledged that the people had suffered under AFSPA, describing it as a “draconian act” and inhumane.

The Chief Minister also revealed that there has been pressure from certain agencies to reimpose AFSPA in the valley, a move he has strongly opposed. “They said I cannot control the situation. I told them I have controlled the situation. If the situation doesn’t improve, I don’t know how I will answer them next time,” he stated.He even expressed his desire to remove AFSPA from the hill areas too, but we need to convince the central leadership regarding this.At least 226 people have been killed, 1,500 injured and 60,000 displaced since violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities on May 3 last year.

The riots began after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Suspension all news publication, both in print and electronic media, for a day

In an emergency meeting the Manipur Press Club, the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors Guild, Manipur (EGM) denounced the incineration of press materials.

The press material was set ablaze while it was in transit from Guwahati to Imphal on Wednesday. The two bodies resolved to suspend all news publication, both in print and electronic media, for a day.

In a joint communique, AMWJU and EGM asserted that the State Government, the Security Advisor, and the Director General of Police (DGP), Manipur, must be held accountable for the destruction of press materials.

The statement highlighted that the unions have persistently called for the safeguarding of press material transportation and the provision of security since the eruption of violence on May 3, 2023. Extortion by unidentified miscreants targeting transporters carrying printing materials has continued unabated along both the Imphal–Jiribam and Imphal–Dimapur National Highways. The State Government should provide adequate compensation for the losses incurred.

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