Lok Sabha MP Bimol Akoijam expressed concern over the recent imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) across areas under six police stations in Manipur, describing it as “another move that one must be cautious of.”
Taking to the social media platform X, Akoijam emphasized that this is the first time the controversial AFSPA law has been imposed by the Central Government in Manipur, a significant departure from previous instances, which were handled by the Manipur state government. He highlighted, “This latest imposition makes history. It is worth recollecting that all the hitherto impositions of AFSPA in the state have been done by the Government of Manipur.”
While AFSPA’s enforcement in the state has been a matter of state jurisdiction since an amendment in 1972, Akoijam pointed out that recent decisions on its imposition appeared to be heavily influenced by the Union Government. He noted that, in prior cases, announcements regarding AFSPA came directly from the Union Home Minister before official state notification, suggesting an unconventional influence. “The last few cases of impositions were carried out rather surreptitiously and/or extra-constitutionally by the Union Government,” he stated.
With this latest imposition, Akoijam argued that the Central Government has now moved to impose AFSPA itself, unambiguously, over certain areas in Manipur, discarding any veil over its influence. He raised concerns over this “murky handling” of law and order in Manipur, stating, “The unique distinction of Manipur now lies in having separate areas under AFSPA imposed by different authorities — the state and Union governments.”
A gazette notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs, dated November 14, 2024, states that the latest imposition is intended to “carry out well-coordinated operations by the security forces to maintain the security situation and contain the activities of insurgent groups in these areas.” However, Akoijam’s statements underscore an ongoing debate over the implications of such federal decisions on state autonomy and regional stability.
