In response to escalating unrest and a resurgence of protests following the tragic kidnapping and brutal killing of two students, the Manipur government has declared the entire state a “disturbed area” under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). This declaration, which will be in effect for six months, is intended to address the prevailing law and order challenges, but notably excludes 19 police stations, including the state capital, Imphal, from this designation.
In a notification issued by the state government, it was cited that “violent activities of various extremist/insurgent groups warrant the use of Armed Forces in aid of civil administration in the entire state.” The decision follows the disturbing incident in which two students from the Metei community were reportedly abducted and brutally killed by suspected armed individuals, leading to a wave of protests.
The circulation of images depicting the bodies of the students on social media further intensified public outrage. These protests culminated in an attempted march towards the residence of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh by scores of students, just days after the government had lifted a nearly five-month-long ban on mobile internet services in the region.
The notification also acknowledged that the security forces are currently occupied with maintaining law and order in the state, making it inconvenient to conduct a detailed assessment of the situation on the ground. Consequently, a review of the “disturbed area” status has been deferred until a more appropriate time, given the sensitive nature of the matter.
Recognizing the potential for public resistance and criticism following this declaration, the government announced the intention to maintain the status quo in the designated areas.
Regarding the tragic killings of the two students, Phijam Hemjit, 20, and Hijam Linthoingambi, 17, Chief Minister Biren Singh has pledged to take action against the perpetrators. The case has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and a CBI team, led by the agency’s special director, Ajay Bhatnagar, has arrived in Imphal to investigate the matter.
In a preliminary statement, the Manipur police revealed that their initial probe suggests that the missing 20-year-old man and 17-year-old girl may have eloped on July 6. However, they ended up trapped in an area dominated by the Kuki community while attempting to flee. Tragically, they were allegedly abducted and subsequently murdered.
The situation in Manipur remains tense, with the declaration of the entire state as a “disturbed area” under AFSPA reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing the complex security challenges in the region.
Sources By Agencies