AFSPA Extended In Manipur For Six Months Amid Unrest, 19 Areas Excluded

According to government notification, barring 19 police stations, the entire state has been declared as “disturbed area” for a period of six months.

Security personnel stand guard during a protest rally by school students against the killing of two Meitei youths by suspected Kuki Zo militants, at Moirangkhom in Imphal West district.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Manipur government extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the hill areas of the state for six months beginning October 1. However, 19 police stations of valley have been excluded, according to official notification, as reported by news agency PTI.

According to government notification, barring 19 police stations, the entire state has been declared as “disturbed area” for a period of six months.

"Governor of Manipur hereby accords approval to declare the entire state of Manipur excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations...as 'Disturbed Area' for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2023," the notification stated. 

The police station areas where the AFSPA has not been imposed are Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Pastol, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingagng, Lamlai, Iribung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakchin and Jirbam.

Effective from October 1, 2023, the entire area of #Manipur, excluding the 19 police stations, has been declared as a "Disturbed Area" for a period of six months: Govt Notification. pic.twitter.com/2Ho5WCy3UF

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2023

Recently, Manipur has been rocked by protests over the killing of two youths who were allegedly kidnapped in July. The government reimposed internet suspension for five days and announced that all schools in the state will be closed till Friday.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Central government extended AFSPA in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for another six months starting from October 1. The move came after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reviewed the law and order situation in both the northeast states.

READ | Centre Extends 'Disturbed Area' Status Under AFSPA In Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland For 6 Months

In a notification, the MHA under the AFSPA declared eight districts and 21 police stations in five other districts of Nagaland as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months.

In a separate notification, the MHA declared Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham Police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh are declared as 'disturbed area' under AFSPA.