AFSPA coverage expanded in 'peaceful' valley area
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 02 2025: IT could be safely stated that the general population wouldn't mind whether or not the central authorities extend the pro-military Armed Forces' Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 in the state as long as those in uniform do not commit excesses against the civilians as had been the case in the past.

In fact under the immunity granted by the Act, both state and central forces were loathed by the public due to their frequent involvement in violation of human rights when the insurgency movement in the state was at its peak in between the 1980s and the early part of the new millennium, also marked by involuntary disappearance of youths after arrest from their homes by security personnel solely on the basis of being suspects or associated with armed groups, scores slain in stage managed encounters, third degree torture of suspected insurgent activists, and sexual abuse of womenfolk.

Such atrocities at regular intervals forced human rights groups to approach the Supreme Court, consequently resulting in the apex court ordering thorough investigation in over 150 cases of alleged fake encounters spanning 10 years and directing the central government for a review on the wisdom of granting unbridled power to the security forces in dealing with the vexed insurgency problem.

Apart from the Supreme Court, frequent instances of abuse of rights drew the attention of international rights bodies and caused embarrassment to India's official representatives at UN summits and other international platforms.

The intense scrutiny by global rights organisations is also one of the reasons for the central government not raising objections when the AFSPA 1958 was gradually repealed from the entire valley areas by the then N Biren government.

Now that the Act has been reinforced in the whole state with effect from March 30, barring areas under the jurisdiction of 13 police stations and amid semblance of normalcy returning in the valley districts, socio-political commentators and rights organisations would definitely be keeping a close tab on acts and activities of the security personnel.

The state forces, in particular, would be under the public glare as most of the alleged encounter killing cases recorded in the past had the involvement of police personnel, who carried out the execution either in a fit of anger, avenge death of colleagues and loved ones, or to improve service record ultimately aimed at favourable promotional consideration by the higher-ups.

Moreover, to the socio-political commentators and rights activists, re-imposition of the AFSPA in the valley areas would be viewed as simply implementation of the covert agenda to suppress the voice of dissent under the pretext of containing the insurgency movement.

It is pertinent to mention here that with exception of extortion activities there has been no major incident, including shoot-outs, which could be attributed to insurgency movement, anywhere in the valley districts for over 10 years.

Taking into account that majority of the extortion cases has been reported from areas within the twin capital districts, posers would also be definitely raised why the 13 police station areas were not brought under the ambit of AFSPA and why the pro-military Act is a necessity in the valley when signs of restlessness at the juncture are most profound in the Kuki-populated hills.

Comment