Ukhrul, September 19: The Kuki Liberation Army–Letkholun (KLA-L) has said that the deadly ambush in Nambol, Bishnupur district, which left two personnel of the 33 Assam Rifles dead and four others injured, underscores the risks posed by the exclusion of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Meitei-dominated areas.
According to a press release, unidentified Meitei gunmen attacked the convoy on Friday night, raising grave concerns over security in the region.
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The KLA-L stated that the removal of AFSPA in parts of Imphal Valley has compromised the capacity of security forces to respond to threats and maintain order. It argued that the policy shift has engendered vulnerabilities in insurgency, prone regions and may undermine the efficacy of counter-insurgency operations in North East India.
The press release further noted that the selective application of AFSPA, excluded in some areas but enforced in others, fosters perceptions of differential treatment and heightens inter-community tensions.
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The KLA-L cautioned that the diminution of AFSPA’s scope could hinder security forces from carrying out effective counter-insurgency measures, potentially resulting in more militant activities and deterioration of law and order.