MSF demands total repeal of AFSPA
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 17: Taking strong exception to the reimposition of the infamous Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 in the jurisdictions of six police stations from where the Act has been lifted, the Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF) has urged the Government of India to repeal AFSPA from all over Manipur.
Notably, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order on November 14 whereby AFSPA was reimposed in the jurisdictions of Sekmai PS, Lamsang PS, Lamlai PS, Jiribam PS, Leimakhong PS and Moirang PS.
Again on November 16, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued strong instructions to all security agencies to take up necessary steps to restore order and peace in Manipur.
These two orders are aimed at continuing repressive measures against the people of Manipur, the MSF said in a press release.
Between 2004 and March 25, 2023, AFSPA was revoked from the jurisdictions of 19 police stations before the Act was reimposed in the areas of six police stations.
On October 1, 2024, the State Government issued an order whereby disturbed area status was extended for six months in the entire State barring the areas covered by the 19 police stations.
Overriding this order of the State Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs reimposed AFSPA in the jurisdictions of six police stations from where AFSPA was already lifted. As such, it appears there is discord between the Centre and the State on the matter, the MSF remarked.
More than 250 people have been killed, over 60,000 displaced and many people are still missing since the violent crisis erupted on May 3, 2023.
Asserting that reimposing AFSPA in selected areas in the midst of the conflict is not a right step, the student body urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to review and revoke its decision.
After AFSPA was imposed all over Manipur on September 8, 1980, the people of Manipur have been reeling under sustained repressed measures, rampant human right violation and all kinds of atrocities for the last 44 years.
Between 1979 and 2012, security forces killed 1528 people under the impunity guaranteed by AFSPA, it said. Appealing to the Government of India to repeal AFSPA from all over Manipur at the earliest before the people re-launch a strong anti-AFSPA movement, the MSF asserted that it is prepared to launch a strong movement along with the people if their appeal goes unheeded.
IMPHAL, Nov 17: Taking strong exception to the reimposition of the infamous Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 in the jurisdictions of six police stations from where the Act has been lifted, the Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF) has urged the Government of India to repeal AFSPA from all over Manipur.
Notably, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order on November 14 whereby AFSPA was reimposed in the jurisdictions of Sekmai PS, Lamsang PS, Lamlai PS, Jiribam PS, Leimakhong PS and Moirang PS.
Again on November 16, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued strong instructions to all security agencies to take up necessary steps to restore order and peace in Manipur.
These two orders are aimed at continuing repressive measures against the people of Manipur, the MSF said in a press release.
Between 2004 and March 25, 2023, AFSPA was revoked from the jurisdictions of 19 police stations before the Act was reimposed in the areas of six police stations.
On October 1, 2024, the State Government issued an order whereby disturbed area status was extended for six months in the entire State barring the areas covered by the 19 police stations.
Overriding this order of the State Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs reimposed AFSPA in the jurisdictions of six police stations from where AFSPA was already lifted. As such, it appears there is discord between the Centre and the State on the matter, the MSF remarked.
More than 250 people have been killed, over 60,000 displaced and many people are still missing since the violent crisis erupted on May 3, 2023.
Asserting that reimposing AFSPA in selected areas in the midst of the conflict is not a right step, the student body urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to review and revoke its decision.
After AFSPA was imposed all over Manipur on September 8, 1980, the people of Manipur have been reeling under sustained repressed measures, rampant human right violation and all kinds of atrocities for the last 44 years.
Between 1979 and 2012, security forces killed 1528 people under the impunity guaranteed by AFSPA, it said. Appealing to the Government of India to repeal AFSPA from all over Manipur at the earliest before the people re-launch a strong anti-AFSPA movement, the MSF asserted that it is prepared to launch a strong movement along with the people if their appeal goes unheeded.