IMPHAL, Nov 15: Lok Sabha MP Bimol Akoijam on Thursday voiced serious concerns over the recent reimposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in areas under six police stations in Manipur, calling it a move that requires heightened caution. He pointed out that this is the first time AFSPA has been imposed in the state directly by the Union Government, rather than by the Manipur government itself, marking a shift in how AFSPA is applied in the region.
Expressing his views on social media platform X, Akoijam noted, “This is the first time that this controversial and notorious legal fiction called the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, has been imposed by the Central Government in the state of Manipur! This latest imposition makes history. It is worth recollecting that all the hitherto impositions of AFSPA in the state have been done by the Government of Manipur.”
AFSPA, which grants special powers to the armed forces in “disturbed areas,” was amended in 1972, granting both the Central and State Governments the power to impose it. However, Akoijam pointed out that recent decisions on AFSPA’s implementation had often been made by the Union Government indirectly, with announcements by the Union Home Minister before formal notifications by the Manipur government. This time, he noted, the Union Government has removed any pretense of indirect control by directly imposing AFSPA on six police jurisdictions in Manipur.
“This time around, that veil covering the surreptitious/extra-constitutional control over the State Government by the Union Government has been discarded as it has chosen to impose AFSPA by itself in areas under six police stations in the state,” he remarked.
Highlighting the administrative and governance challenges, Akoijam questioned who precisely holds control over law and order in Manipur amid the ongoing crisis. He stated that the recent imposition of AFSPA adds to an already complex situation, noting, “Unlike anywhere in the country, now Manipur has the unique distinction of having separate areas under the AFSPA imposed by different authorities — some imposed by the state Government and some imposed by the Union Government!”
According to a Gazetted notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 14, 2024, the new AFSPA imposition aims to “carry out well-coordinated operations by the security forces to maintain the security situation and contain the activities of insurgent groups in these areas.” However, Akoijam challenged the effectiveness of this reasoning, arguing that the state already has a Unified Headquarters, headed by Shri Kuldiep Singh, which oversees coordination among the army, paramilitary forces, state police, intelligence agencies, and other security bodies.
Despite the presence of this Unified Headquarters, Akoijam emphasized that violence has persisted in Manipur, leading to large-scale devastation. “Despite that the violence has resulted in villages being wiped out, thousands rendered homeless, and hundreds killed. Not only that, the mayhem has also continued for one and a half years to date!” he stated, referring to ongoing conflicts since May 2023.
Akoijam cited the tragic situation in areas like Moreh, Churachandpur, and regions bordering foothills, where AFSPA is already in effect but has failed to prevent significant loss of life and displacement. “This being the case, what ‘coordination’ and purpose is this imposition going to serve to address the present crisis?” he questioned.
Concluding his remarks, Akoijam argued that more than imposing what he called a “draconian Act,” what Manipur needs is a committed political will to end the crisis and restore normalcy. He added, “Far more than this draconian Act, and foggy and muddled deals with armed groups, a sincere and political will is required to restore normalcy in the state.”
