AFSPA extended
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 29 2020:
The State Government has extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 for one year in the entire State excluding Imphal Municipal area with effect from December 1 .
The AFSPA 1958 has been extended due to violent activities of various extremist/insurgent groups.
The entire State of Manipur excluding the Imphal Municipal area is declared a "Disturbed Area" for a period of one year with effect from December 1, 2020, said an official statement of the Government.
Manipur was first given the 'Disturbed Area' status in 1980 and it was withdrawn from seven Assembly Constituencies in 2004 .
It may be noted that many civil society organisations have been demanding complete removal of the Act from Manipur.
The Act empowers the army to arrest a person on suspicion without a warrant and enter or search a premise without search warrant and open fire on suspicion.