ATSUM urges
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, October 20 2023:
The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has urged the Government of India to reconsider imposition of AFSPA in the valley of Manipur by tagging/ labelling them as vulnerable in terms of lawlessness.
The ATSUM, while appreciating the Central Government's action to ensure law and order in the State, said that exempting the valley areas under 19 police stations from the purview of AFSPA is a cause of concern.
Saying that hill districts comprising Senapati, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Tamenglong, Noney are either occupied by the Nagas or the Kuki-Zo, ATSUM continued that some sort of understanding has been reached between the Government of India and Naga and Kuki outfits.
The Meitei outfits, on the other hand, are banned under Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) by the Government of India and they are not under any instrument of agreement with the Union Government or the State, it said.
A large number of arms and ammunition looted from State armories are also in the hands of the Meitei civilians in the valley districts, it claimed.
Therefore, declaration of all hill districts occupied by the Naga and Kuki-Zo tribals as disturbed areas is illogical and uncalled for and at the same time exempting valley districts from purview of AFSPA is a cause of concern from National security perspective.
The Central forces are also unable to act proactively in the valley districts due to the removal of AFSPA, ATSUM continued and claimed that valley districts have become a safe haven for the valley based insurgent groups.