What will be the impact of AFSPA in 6 areas in Manipur? Recommendation was made towards the army

New Delhi: Will the re-imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) on six police stations in five districts in Manipur, which has been affected by violence for almost one and a half years, help in improving the situation there? However, CRPF is deployed in most of the areas where it has been deployed and AFSPA is not required to operate CRPF. Home Ministry sources say that AFSPA has been imposed on the recommendation of the Army. Manipur government is not happy with this decision of the central government and a demand has also been made by the state government to withdraw this order.

AFSPA imposed in buffer zone

Violence started in Manipur in May last year. A few months before this, AFSPA was removed from these areas where there was conflict between Meitai and Kuki communities. Now out of the six places where AFSPA has been re-imposed, five areas are buffer zones. That is, on one side people of Kuki community live here and on the other side people of Meitai community live here. Violent conflict has been going on between these two communities for about one and a half years. Sources say that CRPF has been deployed in these areas after removing Assam Rifles a few months ago. While the people of the Kuki community opposed the removal of Assam Rifles, the people of the Meitai community welcomed it. It is also a fact that CRPF does not need AFSPA to operate.

What will be the impact of AFSFA?

With the imposition of AFSPA, it will be easier for the Army and Assam Rifles to conduct operations in these areas. The army can launch a search campaign or operation as per its convenience. Where there is no AFSPA, when the situation becomes very bad, the army is requested by the local administrative officer to take over. For this, an authorization letter is given so that the army can open fire if needed. According to sources, despite the increase in violence in and around Imphal where there was no AFSPA, the local administration has not yet given duty to the Army or Assam Rifles. With the imposition of AFSPA, the armed forces get special powers and they can operate if needed even without an authorization letter from the local administration.

what is this water testing

There are discussions in Manipur that the resignation of the Chief Minister may be sought. However, no one from senior BJP leaders confirmed this. In Jiribam Mandal, where the violence is becoming rampant, all the BJP officials and executive members have resigned from the party. Sources say that the decision to impose AFSPA in the areas with buffer zone (where Meitai on one side and Kuki on the other) may be for water testing. Because the people of Meitai community have been opposing the Armed Forces and the demand to replace Assam Rifles with CRPF was also being made by them. There is no AFSPA where there is Meitai area. Where there is Kuki, Naga area, AFSPA is already there and Army is deployed there.