WCAL lambasts government for extending disturbed area in Manipur

Imphal, Jun 09 (UNI) The Working Committee of the Apunba Lup (WCAL) has opposed the decision of the Manipur government to extend 'The Disturbed Areas Act' for another one year.

The state Home department has issued an order declaring the state as a 'Disturbed Area' for a period of one year starting from June 1.

Seven assembly constituencies in Imphal Municipal area would not fall in the purview of the 'Disturbed Area'.

Due to violent activities of various militant groups in the state and the use of armed forces in aid of civil power was necessary.

The military would operate, if the 'Disturbed Area' was declared, by the state or the Union government under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 (AFSPA).

Under the act, the military could kill anybody on mere suspicion and no citizens would be allowed to seek judicial redressal without prior permission from the Union Home Ministry.

The Manipur government has said that disturbed area means military rule. The whole of the state was under 'Disturbed Area' status.

However, after the killing of Th Manorama in July 2004, a massive uprising took place in the state and the government decided to lift the 'Disturbed Area' status from the Imphal Municipal areas in 2004 without the approval of the Centre to quell the public uprising.

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