The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), a draconian law still imposed exclusively in the hill districts of Manipur, is not only a violation of human rights but is also biased. The Kuki-Zo areas of the hill districts have been relatively peaceful, with the Kuki-Zo insurgent groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO) and has no history of conflict with the Indian Army or the Indian state since the SoO pact was signed.
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The ongoing imposition of AFSPA in the hill districts of Manipur, while it has been revoked in the valley areas, is a discriminatory act against the hill tribal population. The withdrawal of AFSPA and the subsequent resolve to extend the withdrawal of AFSPA in the valley areas even after the Arambai Tenggol militia forced the state legislators to comply with their demands at Kangla Fort, Imphal, on January 24, 2024, is particularly concerning against the backdrop of the continuous extension of AFSPA in the hill areas. Given that more than 6,000 arms looted in the Imphal valley remains in the hands of militias; it is self-evident that AFSPA should be applied in the valley areas, where Meitei insurgent groups have a history of secessionist demands from the Indian Union.
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The withdrawal of AFSPA in the valley has proven to be detrimental to the enforcement of law and order. Since the ethnic cleansing campaign on May 3, more than 6000 arms and a significant amount of ammunition were looted from state armories. There were instances when the Assam Rifles were forced to release valley-based insurgent groups (VBIGs) due to local interference from the Meiteis. While the VBIGs savour the removal of AFSPA in the valley; the Kuki-Zo people are facing the brunt; having been forced to defend ourselves from continuous Meitei aggressions. This may have resulted from the strategic increase in the withdrawal of AFSPA in the 19 police stations of Imphal Valley in March 2023, prior to the violence, whereas AFSPA was conveniently imposed in all the hill districts.
Regarding the demand for removal of the Assam Rifles by the valley-based organisations, it is primary to note that the role of the Assam Rifles is essentially border management and counter-insurgency. Their presence therefore is crucial, as the situation in Manipur remains counter-insurgency in nature with over 6,000 sophisticated weapons still in radicalised civilian hands, and VBIGs still brandishing their weapons on the streets of the Imphal Valley. More so; the state-sponsored nature of the ethnic cleansing campaign necessitates for a strong presence of the Central Security Forces specialised in counter-insurgency.
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In essence, the partial removal of AFSPA is a clear deception of the Government of India by the Manipur state government. It is a grave misuse of the suggestive powers of the state government under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. Therefore, KIM urges the Central Government to immediately revoke AFSPA in the hill districts. Alternatively, if AFSPA is deemed necessary, it should be imposed in the Imphal valley areas, where it is most required due to the history of secessionist demands by Meitei insurgent groups.
(This is a press statement of the Kuki Inpi Manipur issued on August 7, 2024)
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