Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Manipur may re-impose Armed Forces Special Powers Act

Imphal, Mar 18 (PTI) Alarmed by heightened militancy the Manipur government has warned that it may re-impose the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Imphal municipal area if the law and order situation did not improve.

The AFSPA (1958) was withdrawn from seven assembly constituencies in municipal area following a series of agitations after the alleged rape and killing of a Manipuri woman Th. Manorama by security personnel in 2004 although the Act is still in force in remaining 53 assembly segments in the state.

"The government may even go to the extent of recommending re-imposition of the AFSPA in the seven assembly segments in the municipal area," Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh said recently.

"If such incidents like the bomb attack on the Manipur assembly continue, there is no guarantee that the APFSA 1958 (which empowers security personnel to 'shoot any suspect even causing to the death') would not be re-imposed in the Imphal municipal area," Sing said.

Official sources say there has been sharp increase in the activities of the different militant groups particularly in four valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishenpur and Thoubal in the past some weeks.

They say looting, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, killings of persons by militants have shown increase in recent weeks.

Manipur was also cut off from the rest of the country for about a week early this month as transporters cancelled all passenger bus services between Manipur and neighbouring states protesting against huge extortion demands by some militants.

Some militant outfits allegedly were demanding between Rs 500 to Rs 1000 per month per shop.

PTI

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