Manipur has been in turmoil for the past several months. There are incidents of violence and terrorism by terrorists in different districts. The Union Home Ministry said on Saturday that all security forces deployed in Manipur have been instructed to take necessary steps to restore peace in the state. The security situation has been ‘fragile’ for the past few days.
Terrorists attacked the police station
Another wave of violence erupted in Manipur on Monday when 11 suspected militants attacked a police station and a nearby CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) camp in Manipur’s Jiribam district with sophisticated weapons. However, he was killed in the encounter. A day later, armed militants abducted six civilians, including women and children, from the same district.
The situation remains fragile
The Home Ministry said in a statement on Saturday, ‘The security situation in Manipur has been fragile for the past few days. In the conflict, armed miscreants from both communities have resorted to violence, resulting in casualties and disruption of public order.
The investigation has been handed over to the NIA
According to the statement, ‘Strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. Important cases have been handed over to NIA for effective investigation.
Security forces instructed to take necessary action
It was also said that security forces have been instructed to take necessary steps to restore peace. The Home Ministry has requested people to maintain peace, not to believe rumours, and to cooperate with the security forces to maintain law and order in the state.
AFSPA was re-implemented
Keeping in view the dire situation, the Center on Thursday reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas of the state, including violence-hit Jiribam. The new order was issued after the Manipur government on October 1 implemented AFSPA across the state except for 19 police station areas including these six police stations.
AFSPA has been implemented in these police station areas
The police station areas where AFSPA has been reimposed include Sekmai and Lamsang in Imphal West district, Lamlai in Imphal East district, Jiribam in Jiribam district, Leemakhong in Kangpokpi and Moirang in Bishnupur.
The police stations that were left out of the Manipur government’s October 1 order to impose AFSPA include Imphal, Lamphal, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamalai, Irilbung, Limakhong, Thobal, Bishnupur, Moirang, Namsang. Kakching and Jiribam were included.
More than 200 have been killed so far
Since May last year, more than 200 people have been killed and thousands left homeless in ethnic violence between the Meitis in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Jo groups based in the nearby hills.