Student bodies demand AFSPA repeal, warn of stir
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 08 2025: Six student bodies of the state have jointly condemned the Government of India for the continued imposition and recent expansion of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the state, and warned of a massive public movement if the controversial law is not withdrawn.

In a strongly worded joint statement issued on Monday, AIMS, DESAM, KSA, MSF, SUK and another student organisation criticised the Centre for arbitrarily extending the law in areas from where it had previously been lifted and called for the immediate repeal of the "black law" that has inflicted decades of suffering on the indigenous people of the state.

They pointed to the unrestrained powers granted to the armed forces under AFSPA, leading to widespread instances of human rights abuses, including extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, and other forms of violence.

The statement expressed deep concern that despite long-standing calls from the people of Manipur and other north-eastern states, the Centre continues to impose the draconian law with impunity.

The student organisations argued that the law, enacted over four decades ago, has no place in a modern democratic society that upholds self-determination and human rights.

While the partial lifting of AFSPA from certain areas since 2004 had been welcomed, they said the recent rollback, which limits its exclusion to only areas under the jurisdiction of 13 police stations, is a grave setback.

Calling the move a serious threat to the already vulnerable indigenous population, the student bodies urged the central government to immediately reconsider its decision.

They warned that failure to withdraw the law would lead to widespread public agitation in the state.

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