AFSPA reimposition: A setback in Manipur's quest for lasting peace

Dipak Kurmi *

The reimposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Manipur signifies a sobering development in the state’s protracted joumey toward stability and peace. After years of incremental reductions in AFSPA-designated areas, recent escalations have compelled the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to restore the “Disturbed Areas” status across six police station limits. This step underlines a grim truth: despite previous progress, Manipur’s path to enduring peace remains precarious.

AFSPA has long been a controversial measure, conferring sweeping powers upon the armed forces, including the authority to conduct operations and arrest without warrants, with significant immunity from prosecution. Such powers, while justified by some as necessary for counter-insurgency, have historically engendered deep mistrust between the military and civilian populations.

In Manipur, the legacy of AFSPA has been marred by accusations of human rights abuses, exacerbating historical grievances and complicating peace efforts in a region where ethnic, social, and economic rifts already run deep.

The recent order, effective until March 31, 2025, applies to the Sekmai and Lamsang police stations in Imphal West, Lamlai in Imphal East, Jiribam, Moirang in Bishnupur, and Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district. This measure follows a review by the MHA that cited “volatile” conditions and active participation by insurgent groups in acts of violence.

Notably, these areas were previously relieved of AFSPA in April 2022, a period when the Manipur government had deemed the security situation sufficiently stable, fostering a “large sense of security among the general public”.

The resurgence of AFSPA indicates a significant regression in Manipur’s security landscape, catalyzed by ethnic violence that began in May 2023. This conflict primarily involves the Meitei community, residing in the valley, and the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes inhabiting the hill districts. The situation deteriorated notably after November 7, 2024, when a fresh wave of violence claimed the lives of at least 14 individuals.

The strife, marked by intermittent gunfire and targeted attacks, has prompted the deployment of extensive security apparatus, including 22,000 personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and 140 Army columns.

A senior government official explained that the reimposition of AFSPA enables the Army and the Assam Rifles to conduct operations without awaiting the presence of a magistrate or state police assistance, thus ensuring more fluid and timely responses.

“AFSPA has been reimposed in the fringe or buffer zones where Kuki-Zo and Meitei villages converge,” the official noted. These areas, now guarded by central forces, had previously constrained military operations due to the absence of AFSPA, allowing armed groups to exploit jurisdictional delays.

Despite its purported utility in stabilizing conflict-ridden zones, the decision to reinstate AFSPA has faced significant criticism. The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president, Keisham Meghachandra, lambasted the move as emblematic of the dual failures of the B JP-led governments at both the Centre and state levels.

In a pointed statement on social media, Meghachandra argued that the measure underscores the government’s inability to quell the crisis through non-military means. “The reimposition of AFSPA... is a clear symptom of their complete failure to manage the crisis in Manipur,” he asserted, voicing concerns that AFSPA might soon be applied to all remaining areas of the state.

This sentiment was echoed by CPI leader Palap Sengupta, who condemned the central government’s approach as an affront to the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution. Speaking in Imphal, Sengupta accused the Centre of bypassing state authority and seeking military solutions where political dialogue and socio-economic interventions are paramount. “The Centre has imposed AFSPA without respecting the federal character of our Constitution. They want to deal with the situation with military means,” Sengupta said.

Public dissent has also taken visible forms. In Ukhrul, the Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) organised a solidarity march protesting AFSPA, the construction of border fencing, and restrictions on the Free Movement Regime. These protests encapsulate a broader discontent that AFSPA’s reimposition may stifle civilian freedoms and deepen the chasm of mistrust between the state’s diverse ethnic groups and the government.

AFSPA’s legacy in Manipur has been one of friction and trauma. The Act was first enforced in the state in 1980, following amendments in 1972 that expanded its applicability. The revocation of AFSPA from 19 police stations in 2022 was hailed as a positive milestone, reinforcing hopes that Manipur was moving toward peace. However, the current extension, combined with the recent rise in extortion, abductions, and insurgent activity, signals a critical setback.

The broader challenges facing Manipur extend beyond insurgency and sporadic violence. The region’s ethnic divisions, economic stagnation, and unresolved political grievances have fuelled persistent unrest.

Addressing these underlying issues requires a multifaceted strategy that prioritizes dialogue, socio-economic development, and community-building initiatives over military might. The involvement of civil society, local leadership, and genuine participatory governance must be integral to such an approach.

The Union government’s justification for reimposing AFSPA - "to carry out well-coordinated operations" - may restore a modicum of order, but it risks further alienating the very communities whose trust is essential for lasting peace. The reintroduction of AFSPA may, in the short term, serve as a tool for military expedience, but it underscores a deeper failure to navigate a path of reconciliation and sustainable peace.

For Manipur’s people, particularly the Meitei and Kuki communities most affected by the ongoing conflict, the hope for a future free from violence remains fragile. True peace will not come from military mandates but through comprehensive, inclusive efforts to address historical and present grievances, foster economic opportunity, and rebuild fractured trust.

Without such measures, the reimposition of AFSPA risks being not a solution, but a symbol of regression in Manipur’s quest for peace and stability.