The reinstatement of AFSPA in six police station areas across Manipur highlights the difficult balance that Centre must strike when addressing complex security challenges in conflict-prone regions. While military intervention might offer temporary control and protection, a long-term solution to Manipur’s troubles will likely require deeper political engagement, addressing the root causes of ethnic conflict, insurgency and providing a sense of security and inclusion for all communities.
TFM Report
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a notification reinstating the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, in six police station areas across Manipur. This decision follows an extensive review of the security situation in the state, which has been marked by ongoing ethnic violence and intermittent gunfire in several regions.
According to the notification issued by the MHA dated November 14, the areas designated as “disturbed” under Section 3 of the AFSPA include six police stations spanning five districts. These are:
- Sekmai (Imphal West)
- Lamsang (Imphal West)
- Lamlai (Imphal East)
- Jiribam (Jiribam)
- Leimakhong (Kangpokpi)
- Moirang (Bishnupur)
The AFSPA grants special powers to armed forces personnel in regions deemed “disturbed,” allowing for heightened military intervention aimed at controlling insurgency and other security threats. The Act’s reimposition, effective immediately, will continue until March 31, 2025, unless revoked earlier.
The Ministry’s order also highlights the security risks in fringe areas of Bishnupur-Churachandpur, Imphal East-Kangpokpi-Imphal West, and Jiribam districts. It notes that insurgent groups remain active, with ongoing violence creating an unstable environment for local residents. The central government emphasized the need for coordinated operations in these volatile areas to manage insurgency activities and protect civilians.
This latest decision excludes 19 police stations in the state, which remain outside the jurisdiction of AFSPA, per a notification issued earlier on October 1, 2024. However, the six police station areas selected under the new order will experience increased military presence to ensure stability.
Manipur has faced significant security challenges in recent months, including ethnic tensions and insurgent activities. The reinstatement of AFSPA reflects the government’s stance on using military intervention to address complex security issues in the region.
Manipur’s Security Challenges and the Reimposition of AFSPA
It has been almost two years, Manipur has been grappling with a series of intense security challenges that have disrupted life across the state. These challenges stem from deep-seated ethnic tensions, the resurgence of armed insurgent activities, and intermittent violence that has severely impacted civilian safety. As the state struggles to maintain order, the central government has opted to reimpose AFSPA in certain “disturbed” areas. Observers feel that it is a controversial step that reflects the government’s approach to managing Manipur’s complex security landscape.
The rationale for the re-imposition of AFSPA as per Government of India’s assessment seems to indicate that current ethnic tensions in Manipur primarily arise from divisions among different communities. Recent months have seen a worrying intensification of these conflicts. Reports indicate that violent incidents, including communal attacks and blockades, have disrupted essential services, displaced thousands of people leading to further polarization of communities along ethnic lines. The centre seems to think that the current environment has made it challenging for local law enforcement agencies to contain the violence, leading to a situation where more robust intervention is perceived as necessary even though AFSPA has not been able to check armed insurgency movements in the last many decades.
The decision to reimpose AFSPA reflects the Government of India’s broader stance on using military power to address internal security issues—a strategy that has sparked debate. Critics argue that AFSPA, with its broad powers and limited accountability, can lead to human rights abuses and exacerbate local grievances, potentially worsening the very issues it seeks to resolve. Proponents, however, contend that AFSPA is a necessary tool for confronting serious threats to peace, especially when insurgent activities and ethnic conflicts reach a scale that overwhelms civilian institutions.
The reinstatement of AFSPA in Manipur highlights the difficult balance that governments must strike when addressing complex security challenges in conflict-prone regions. While military intervention might offer temporary control and protection, a long-term solution to Manipur’s troubles will likely require deeper political engagement, addressing the root causes of ethnic conflict, insurgency and providing a sense of security and inclusion for all communities. In the interim, however, AFSPA’s reimposition illustrates the government’s false commitment to containing the immediate violence and re-establishing a semblance of stability in a region fraught with challenges.