New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today issued a statement on Manipur situation and said that the security forces have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace. The statement comes after a significant encounter occurred in Manipur’s Jiribam, resulting in the deaths of 11 suspected militants during a gunfight with CRPF personnel.
"The security scenario in Manipur has remained fragile for the past few days. Armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have been indulging in violence leading to unfortunate loss of lives and disruption in public order. All the security forces have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace. Strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. Important cases have been handed over to NIA for effective investigation," the MHA said in a statement.
"Public are requested to maintain peace, not believe in rumours and cooperate with the security forces to maintain law and order in the State," it concluded.
AFSPA Re-imposed
On Thursday, the Centre reimposed the Disturbed Areas status under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the jurisdiction of six police stations in the state’s valley areas, including violence-hit Jiribam.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the notification, citing the “volatile” situation in Manipur and instances of “active participation of insurgent groups in heinous acts of violence”.
The Disturbed Areas status, which was in place for all of Manipur except 19 police stations in the Meitei-dominated valley areas from where it was withdrawn between April 2022 and April 2023, has now been extended to the jurisdictions of Sekmai and Lamsang police stations in Imphal West, Lamlai in Imphal East, Moirang in Bishnupur, Leimakhong in Kangpokpi and Jiribam police station in Jiribam.
The AFSPA provides immunity to armed forces personnel – it disallows prosecution of persons acting under the Act except with the sanction of the Central government. It empowers an officer of the armed forces to “fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death” against “any person who is acting in contravention of any law or order” if they are of the opinion that it is necessary.