Violence in Manipur: MHA directs security forces to take necessary steps to restore peace and order

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday directed all security forces in Manipur to take necessary steps to restore law and order in the state as the situation remained ‘fragile’ over the past few days.

The MHA said strict action would be taken against anyone who tries to indulge in violent or disruptive acts. (AFP)

Fresh tensions emerged in the state after 11 suspected militants were killed in an encounter in Jiribam on Monday. The district administration had also imposed a curfew in the region as the Kuki-Zo organizations called for a complete shutdown in the hill areas to protest the encounter.

These suspected militants allegedly attacked a police station and an adjacent CRPF camp with complex weapons.

A day later, six citizensincluding women and children, were reportedly kidnapped by armed militants from the same Jiribam district.

“The security scenario in Manipur has remained fragile over the past few days. Armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have indulged in violence, resulting in unfortunate loss of lives and disruption of law and order,” the ministry said on Saturday.

MHA said strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. PTI reported. For effective investigation, the ministry has transferred important cases to the NIA.

“The security forces have been instructed to take necessary steps to restore law and order. Strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to indulge in violent and disruptive activities,” the report said.

The Home Ministry also requested the people to maintain peace and asked them not to believe in rumors and cooperate with the security forces in maintaining law and order in the state.

In view of the tense situation in the state, the Center on Thursday reintroduced the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur’s six police station areas, including violence-hit Jiribam district.

The new order came after the Manipur government’s October 1 order imposing AFSPA across the state, except 19 police station areas to which these six belong.

Imphal, Lamphal, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai, Irilbung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakching and Jiribam were among the police stations excluded from the state government. order.

AFSPA gives special powers to armed forces personnel in areas classified as “disturbed areas” to search, arrest, etc. to maintain law and order in such areas.

Notably, the order re-introduced AFSPA in the areas under Sekmai and Lamshang police stations in Imphal West District; Lamlai in Imphal East; Jiribam in Jiribam District; Leimakhong in Kangpokpi District; and Moirang in Bishnupur district.

Ethnic clashes between the Meiteis in the Imphal Valley and neighboring Kuki-Zo groups in the hills have claimed the lives of more than 200 people and left thousands more homeless since May 2023.

AFSPA has been in force in Manipur since the early 1980s. However, in 2004, the provisions of AFSPA were lifted from Imphal municipal area, which covered seven assembly segments. Subsequently, AFSPA was withdrawn in April 2022 in areas under fifteen police stations in six districts. From April 1, 2023, the disturbed area notification has been withdrawn from four additional police stations.

(With PTI inputs)