AFSPA Reimposed in Manipur

• 16 Nov 2024

On 14th November 2024, Union Ministry of Home Affairs reinstated the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station limits across five districts in Manipur.

• The move follows a rise in ethnic violence, particularly between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, and grants security forces additional powers to manage insurgency without waiting for civil approval. The reimposed AFSPA designation is effective until March 31, 2025.

Key Points

• Areas Covered: AFSPA now applies to Sekmai and Lamsang in Imphal West, Lamlai in Imphal East, Jiribam, Moirang in Bishnupur, and Leimakhong in Kangpokpi districts. These areas were previously freed from AFSPA in April 2022 amid a stabilized security environment.
• Security Deployment: Approximately 22,000 Central Armed Police Force personnel and 140 Army columns are stationed across Manipur to manage the situation. The presence of AFSPA enables quicker deployment in violence-prone zones.
• Central and State Powers under AFSPA: Both Union and state authorities can declare areas as “disturbed” under AFSPA. The law has been periodically extended in Manipur since 1972, though some valley areas were previously exempted to encourage civilian peace efforts.