'Disturbed area': Special powers for armed forces extended for 6 months in India’s Manipur

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) – The government in India’s northeastern Manipur state on Wednesday extended special powers for armed forces for another six months starting Oct. 1, after clashes during protests against the killing of two students who were missing since July.

“Keeping in view of above and the overall law and order situation in the State and the capability of the State machineries, the State Government has decided to maintain status quo on the present disturbed area status in the State of Manipur excluding the areas falling under the 19 police stations for a period of 6 (six) months w.e.f. 01/10/2023,” a government notification read.

The law, Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 (AFSPA), in effect since 2004, gives sweeping powers to law enforcement personnel to arrest without warrants and even shoot to kill in certain situations.

Hundreds of students in the state capital Imphal on Tuesday protested against the killing of the students. Many protesters were injured after the police fired tear gas shells and baton-charged them.

Pictures of the two students went viral on social media after internet services were restored in the state last week.

At least 170 people have been killed in ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei tribal communities in the remote state since May, according to officials.

Soldiers were called in from other parts of the country to contain the violence, and a curfew and internet shutdown was imposed in most parts of the state.

Longstanding tensions between the two communities have revolved around competition for land and public jobs.

The conflict boiled over in May over plans to recognize the Meitei as a Scheduled Tribe – a status already conferred upon the Kuki – which could guarantee them special privileges such as quotas in government jobs and college admissions.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August survived a no-confidence motion in parliament over the violence, as opposition accused him of inaction.

Meanwhile, the AFSPA was also extended by another six months in parts of northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.