AFSPA lifted from jurisdictions of 4 more police stations
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 25 2023: The Centre has further reduced disturbed areas under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958 in Manipur due to improved law and order situation, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh today.

Briefing media persons at his official residence at Babupara, Imphal, N Biren said AFSPA has now been removed from areas falling under the jurisdictions of four more police stations-Wangoi, Leimakhong, Nambol and Moirang, making the total number of police stations 19 .

The 19 police stations across seven districts include Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lam-sang, Patsoi, Porompat, Heingang, Wangoi, Leimak-hong, Lamlai, Irilbung, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moi-rang, Kakching, Thoubal and Jiribam.

Earlier, 'disturbed area' tag under AFSPA was removed from areas under the jurisdiction of 15 police stations only.

AFSPA lifted from jurisdictions of 4 more police stations

In 2004, the Centre had lifted AFSPA from some areas of Imphal East and Imphal West districts under the jurisdiction of 6 police stations-Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Porompat and Heingang.

In April 2022, AFSPA was further removed from areas under nine police stations.

Briefing media persons at Babupara today, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had stated on March 31, 2022 in the Parliament that AFSPA would be removed from some areas of North East States.

Immediately after, the 'disturbed area' tag under AFSPA was removed from areas under the jurisdictions of nine police stations including Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Lamlai, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kak-ching and Jiribam.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 has been extended for another six months with effect from April 1, 2023 in the whole of Manipur excluding the areas under the 19 police stations, N Biren said.

Stating that the people of the North East, specially Manipuris have experienced many hardships and issues as a result of AFSPA, N Biren recalled that many were injured and killed in movements demanding removal of the Act from the State.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, AFSPA was initially removed from areas under 9 police stations across 6 districts in 2022. Now, AFSPA has been removed from areas under the jurisdictions of 19 police stations across 7 districts.

This is indeed an action taken by the Centre for bringing peace and tran-quility in the region, he said thanking and appreciating the PM and the Union Home Minister on behalf of the people.

Praising the Prime Minister, N Biren continued that the BJP in the Centre, beyond expectation, had extended the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to Manipur and it had also renamed Mt Harriet in Andaman Islands as Mt Manipur.

Also, a warship of the Indian Navy was named INS Imphal, he added.

Answering to a query of the media, the CM said that people in the border areas of the State may be feeling insecure and worried due to the unrest in neighbouring Myanmar at present, but the State has been keeping a tight vigil.

In border areas under Moreh, Beihang, Kamjong and Molcham etc, special commando units, Manipur Rifles, IRB and police have been deployed, he added.

On the other hand, a meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to monitor illegal immigration was held yesterday.

The Sub-Committee is being headed by TA & Hills Minister Letpao Haokip and it has Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai and Education Minister Th Basanta Kumar as members, he said.

Border areas in Kamjong and Churachandpur districts are being monitored for detecting illegal immigrants and all illegal immigrants detected will be placed at a shelter home which will be opened anew, N Biren said.

Biometric data of illegal immigrants in the shelter home will be taken and they will be given identification papers.

When situation improves [referring to Myanmar], they will be sent back, he added.

The CM also cautioned people against sheltering illegal immigrants.

Legal action will be taken against people who are found sheltering illegal immigrants, he said.

The State has started appointing members of the Manipur Population Commission.

If anyone is found sheltering illegal immigrants unlawfully during house visits and verification, then legal actions will be taken against both the tenant and the landlord, he said.

On the issue of water scarcity, N Biren said that water from Loktak Lake has reached Malom.

After the ongoing Tri-Nation Football tournament, water filling stations at Khuman Lampak will resume service, he said, stating that 'water is life' .

He asserted that rampant deforestation is the main factor for shortage of rainfalls and water.

Water, rains and forest are closely related, he said, urging people of the State, specially those in the hills to conserve forests and curb illegal poppy cultivation.

The presser was also attended by Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam, IPR Minister Dr S Ranjan and Commissioner (Home) T Ranjit.