Disturbed area status in Manipur extended for another year

The Manipur Government has extended the disturbed area status under the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 to all parts of the State, except Imphal municipal areas, for another one year with effect from December 1.

Imphal, Dec 1 : The Manipur Government has extended the disturbed area status under the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 to all parts of the State, except Imphal municipal areas, for another one year with effect from December 1.

The disturbed area status was extended following a Cabinet decision on November 22, a government notification said.

The Okram Ibobi Singh government withdrew the Disturbed Area Act and the AFSPA from Imphal municipal areas in August 2004 following the custodial death of Thangjam Manorama at the hands of Assam Rifles personnel and the subsequent agitation.

"Due to violent activities of various insurgent groups, the entire state is in such a disturbed condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power is necessary," the notification said.

The State government had declared the state as disturbed area and enforced the AFSPA, which gives the Army wide powers to arrest, search and `shoot to kill,' every year for the past three decades to contain activities of insurgent organisations.

The army act is applicable only in areas where the Disturbed Area Act is in force.

Social activist Irom Sharmila Chanu has been on a hunger strike for seven years now, demanding withdrawal of AFSPA 1958 from Manipur.

ANI