Imphal: In a significant development, the Union Government on Saturday has announced to remove the disturbed areas under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) from four more police station areas in Manipur with effect from April 1, 2023.
The four police stations in Manipur include Wangoi, Leimakhong, Nambol and Moirang.
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“A historic day for the Northeast! PM Narendra Modi led GoI has once again decided to decrease the disturbed areas in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur under the AFSPA,” tweeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The decision, according to him, was taken on account of significant improvement in the security situation in northeast India.
“For the first time in India’s history PM Narendra Modi prioritised security, peace and development in the North East. As a result of it, the region today is rapidly heading on the path of peace and development,” Shah said in a series of tweets.
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Welcoming the decision taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said “This historic moment was achieved, following the era of peace and prosperity that came in the state with the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP government in Manipur.
The disturbed areas declared under the draconian law AFSPA, 1958 in Manipur, except Imphal Municipality area, was in operation since 2004. In April, 2022, 15 police station areas of six districts in Manipur were removed from classified disproved areas under the AFSPA owing to significant improvement in the security situation in the state.
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So far, altogether 19 police stations in Manipur have been excluded from the jurisdiction of disturbed areas under AFSPA, 1958.
Meanwhile, the Governor has declared the entire state excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the 19 police stations as ‘disturbed areas’ for a period of six months with effect from April 1, 2023.
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