Student Bodies In Manipur Slam AFSPA Extension, Warn Of Public Uprising

9th April 2025

NET Web Desk

Six major student organisations in Manipur have strongly condemned the Ministry of Home Affairs’ recent decision to extend the “Disturbed Area” status in the state for another six months, thereby continuing the enforcement of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), across most parts of the region.

In a press release issued today, the student bodies denounced AFSPA as a “black law” that has been imposed on the people of Manipur since 1980. They alleged that the Act has facilitated decades of grave human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and denial of justice.

The Ministry’s latest notification, dated April 1, 2025, retains AFSPA across the state except for 13 police station jurisdictions. While the Act has been gradually withdrawn from selected areas since April 2022 — with 19 police stations previously exempted by March 2023 — the student groups expressed disappointment that a significant portion of the state remains under its grip.

The six student organisations — Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), Students’ Union of Kangleipak (SUK), and Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS) — accused the Centre of continuing a “colonial policy” through the re-imposition of AFSPA.

They asserted that the extension is not a step towards peace but an attempt to empower armed forces with unchecked authority. “AFSPA has never brought peace; it has only brought pain, fear, and impunity,” the joint statement read.

Warning of growing public resentment, the student leaders demanded the immediate withdrawal of both the Disturbed Area status and AFSPA from the entire state. They cautioned that if the decision is not reversed, it could lead to a mass public uprising.

The statement was signed by key student leaders, including Hijam Roshan (President, MSF), Mayengbam Somorjit Meitei (President, DESAM), Sukham Bidyananda (President, KSA), Ningthoujam Dhanakumar Meitei (President, SUK), and Oinam Nikarson (President, AIMS).