COTU Urges Comprehensive AFSPA Extension in Manipur Valleys, Calls for Withdrawal in Hills

The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) from Manipur’s Kangpokpi district has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to extend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to all 13 remaining police stations in the state’s valley districts while advocating for its withdrawal from hill areas, including Leimakhong.

The appeal follows the MHA’s recent notification declaring six police stations in Greater Imphal as “disturbed areas” under AFSPA, effective October 1, 2024. While partially welcoming the move, the tribal body criticized the government’s handling of the ongoing unrest in the state, accusing it of insincerity in addressing the root causes of the crisis.

The Kuki-Zo tribal group claimed that the turmoil in Imphal was fueled by armed militants, citing an alleged incident where valley representatives were coerced into swearing allegiance to demands at Kangla Fort. They also highlighted the widespread looting of state armories in Imphal, which has led to the proliferation of illegal firearms among the public. Despite the apparent threats, the committee expressed concern over the reported lack of authority granted to security forces to manage the situation effectively.

Conversely, COTU argued for AFSPA’s withdrawal from hill districts, including Leimakhong, citing the military’s strong presence as sufficient for maintaining peace. They stressed the importance of a balanced approach to addressing the security challenges, urging comprehensive application of AFSPA in valley areas to tackle instability, while respecting the relative stability in the hill regions.

The committee accused the government of a “selective implementation” of the disturbed area tag, which they argued undermines efforts to restore normalcy. Calling on Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take swift and decisive action, COTU emphasized the need for a unified and sincere strategy to address the state’s ongoing crisis.