In a significant move, the Union Government has withdrawn the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958 from areas under four more police stations jurisdiction in Manipur, citing "significant improvement in law and order situation in the state".
According to the government notification dated March 24, AFSPA has been removed from areas under the jurisdiction of Wangol, Leimakhing, Nambol and Moirang police stations.
"With significant improvement in the law and order situation in the state, the GoI has decided to remove the AFSPA 1958 from areas falling under the jurisdiction of 19 PS," Manipur Chief Minister N Biren announced in a social media post on Saturday.
The chief minister further stated: "This historic moment was achieved, following the era of peace and prosperity that came in the state with the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government in Manipur".
Speaking to the media in Imphal, Biren expressed that the state government of Manipur under the guidance of visionary leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi and constant encouragement and support of Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been working to improve the law-and-order situation in the state.
With the financial assistance provided by the Central government, the state government has been able to persuade many underground organisations and insurgent groups to come to the table for peace talk or to surrender and join the mainstream, Biren said.
The state has gained substantially from the vision of the Prime Minister to have a peaceful and prosperous Northeast, he said.
With immense and constant support by the Home Affairs Ministry to improve and build security infrastructure, assistance in raising of India Reserve Battalion, Modernisation of State Police forces, reimbursement of expenses incurred under Security Related Expenditure Scheme have strengthened the state police force in manifold, he mentioned. These actions have resulted in reduction of insurgent activities coupled with the increased ability of the state police forces, he added.
Biren said that the security situation in the state has improved due to continuous effort of the government of India led by Narendra Modi, with a vision of peaceful and prosperous North East India. This improvement of law and order has led to rapid development of the state, he mentioned.
After detailed deliberation, the state government has decided to withdraw the “disturbed areas” under section 3 of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from areas under the jurisdiction of four more police stations.
He recalled the protests, agitations and even people who gave their lives for the cause of removing AFSPA from the state. Disturbed area declaration under AFSPA in Manipur (except Imphal Municipality area) was in operation since 2004, he mentioned.
The government of Manipur is highly grateful to the people, Civil Society Organisations and those who were at the forefront demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, he added.
It may be mentioned that the Central government had removed disturbed area tag 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.
Those 15 police stations are Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamshang, Patsoi, Porompat, Heigang, Leimakhong, Lamlai, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching and Jiribam of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, Kakching and Jiribam districts were removed.
Replying to a query regarding the current crisis in Myanmar and issues at the Indo-Myanmar border, he said that there was an incident of fighting at Tamu side. The state government is cautious and on alert if anything happens, he added.
“At border areas like at Moreh, Kamjong, Chandel, the team of police personnel led by SP and IRB, MR are posted and foot patrolling is being routinely conducted near the Indo-Myanmar border,” he said.
He also informed that the cabinet sub-committee for identifying the influx of illegal immigrants will start from Kamjong to Churachandpur soon.
He appealed to the people of Manipur to send all illegal immigrants voluntarily at shelter homes or detention centres. As for Myanmar nationals they can take shelter in the state till the issues in Myanmar are resolved and returns to normalcy. The state will bear food and different identity cards will be issued on humanitarian grounds, he added.
Further, house-to-house surveys will be conducted under the Inner Line Permit System based on 1961 based year, he informed. He again appealed to the people of Manipur, particularly the hill people, to stop poppy cultivation and deforestation.
