Manipur state council of Communist Party of India (CPI) on Wednesday questioned the logic behind the extension of Disturbed Area Status in Manipur for another one year.
The Manipur government has extended the Disturbed Area Status under the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) for another year from December 1. The Home department issued a notification in this regard on December 17. The state government extended the Disturbed Area Status in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 as amended from time to time. Except in the eight assembly segments in the Imphal Municipal Council in the state capital, the Disturbed Area Status would be applicable to the valley and hill districts in the rest of the state.
“. . . due to violent activities of various extremist/insurgent groups, the entire state of Manipur is in such a disturbed condition that the use of Armed Forces in aid of civil power is necessary,” the notification stated.
The AFSPA, which was imposed in the state since September 1980, has been extended from time to time.
“Why the Disturbed Area Status was extended in the state even as the incumbent BJP-led coalition government claimed that peace has returned to the state and there was no more insurgency related violent incident?”, CPI Manipur state council secretary, L Sotinkumar asked.
The CPI leader was speaking at a seminar on “The life and works of comrade Hijam Irawat” held in Imphal’s Iboyaima Shanglen on Wednesday.
NNN
About The Author
