Manipur Cabinet to extend Disturbed Area Status

Imphal, Nov 23: The Manipur Cabinet has decided to extend the Disturbed Area Status (DAS) for the state for another twelve months, official sources said here today.

Earlier, the extension was done for every six months and the six-month term was supposed to end in November. A Cabinet meeting, presided over by Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, took the decision yesterday, officials said. The DAS would be enforced beyond the Imphal Municipal areas and the state government will review the situation within six months again, officials added.

The DAS was withdrawn from the Imphal Municipal areas in 2004 following a mass movement after the alleged rape and murder of Th Manorama by 17 Assam Rifles personnel.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, is extended to all the areas where the DAS is extended and the military is empowered to take action against anybody on mere suspicion and the affected people are not allowed to move court without approval from the Union Home Ministry.

The Cabinet also discussed the prevailing law and order situation, officials said.

The Cabinet also decided to sanction appointment to the son of an official of the Social Welfare department who was shot dead by militants on November 14.

UNI