Manipur Violence: State Govt Declares Entire State As 'Disturbed Area', Imposes AFSPA

Amid unrest, the Manipur government on Wednesday declared the entire state a 'disturbed area' under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and extended the status across the state, except 19 designated police station areas.

This move follows a prior development earlier this year in March when the Central government decided to remove AFSPA from four police stations - Wangoi, Leimakhong, Nambol, and Moirang - within Manipur. This reduction in the application of AFSPA left 19 police station areas in seven districts of Manipur without the act's jurisdiction.

The decision to label the entire state as "disturbed" and extend AFSPA comes in response to the Governor of Manipur's assertion that the ongoing violent activities perpetrated by various extremist and insurgent groups necessitate the deployment of the Armed Forces in support of civil administration. This official stance is detailed in a notification, which also specifies the 19 police station areas excluded from the extension of AFSPA.

The unrest in Manipur stems from a complex web of factors. It began with ethnic clashes ignited by a high court order in March that directed the Manipur state government to recommend the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. Protests and tensions escalated between the Naga and Kuki-Zomi tribes, who opposed this decision, and the Meitei community. The situation took a disturbing turn when a distressing video emerged on social media, displaying the humiliation of two tribal women who were forcibly paraded naked by a group of men. This shocking incident sparked widespread outrage and deepened the conflict.

Recent tensions flared up once again when photos circulated on social media, revealing the lifeless bodies of two students who had gone missing. These young individuals, identified as Phijam Hemjit (20) and Hijam Linthoingambi (17), became the focal point of renewed unrest.

Amid this turmoil, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge directed his criticism toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to address the situation in Manipur and take action. Kharge demanded the removal of the state's BJP chief minister, citing incompetence and alleging that the BJP had turned Manipur into a battleground. He raised concerns about the weaponization of violence against women and children in the region.

The latest clash occurred in the Singjamei area of Imphal, where Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel confronted local protesters decrying the killing of the two missing students, who had vanished on July 6. The security forces resorted to tear gas shells, rubber bullets, and baton charges, resulting in injuries to 45 protesters, the majority of whom were students.

Manipur has endured 147 days of hardship and unrest, prompting calls for Prime Minister Modi to visit the state and address the ongoing crisis. The Manipur government has implored the public to exercise restraint and allow authorities to investigate the tragic "kidnapping and killing" of the two missing youths.