Reconsider AFSPA, Don’t Spare Kuki Militants: What Manipur CM Biren Singh, MLAs Want From Centre – News18

Last Updated:November 19, 2024, 09:22 IST

In the three-hour meeting, the MLAs sought “mass operations against Kuki militants responsible for” the abduction and killing of six Meitei women and children from Jiribam, and to declare them an “unlawful organisation” within seven days

A section of Manipur’s ruling alliance MLAs passed an eight-point resolution on Monday at a meeting chaired by chief minister N Biren Singh, which included urging the Centre to “review the imposition of AFSPA” in six police station areas of the valley. The move came close on the heels of the Centre dispatching 70 more companies of paramilitary forces to the state that has seen a fresh wave of violence.

The Centre had re-imposed the Disturbed Areas status under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the jurisdiction of six police stations in the valley areas, including Jiribam, on November 14.

In the three-hour meeting, the MLAs sought “mass operations against Kuki militants responsible for” the November 11 abduction and killing of six Meitei women and children from Jiribam, and to declare them an “unlawful organisation” within seven days. They added that the probe in this case as well as the incidents of burning of a Hmar woman and killing of a Meitei woman should be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The resolution also comes on the back of politicians facing mob ire in Manipur. Since Saturday, residences of nearly 17 MLAs, including some ministers, have been attacked.

Stating that legal action would be taken against those who had vandalised the homes of legislators during the protests, the resolution also said if the points were “not implemented within the specified period, the NDA legislators will decide the future course of action in consultation with the people of the state”.

Manipur has been on the boil since November 11 when armed men, who police said were Hmar militants, attacked a CRPF camp and a nearby relief camp and allegedly abducted six persons of a Meitei family — three women and three children, including an infant.

Since then, five bodies have been recovered, which has triggered violent protests across the volatile state. On Monday, a sixth body was found but is yet to be identified.

Meanwhile, defying curfew orders, a Meitei group on Monday took to the streets and locked several government offices in Imphal’s west district to protest the killings in Jiribam. A protester, identified as K Athouba who was in his twenties, was killed in firing during a clash between security forces and a mob that was vandalising properties at Babupara in Jiribam district, police said.

In New Delhi, Union Home Minister Shah reviewed the prevailing security situation and deployment of troops in Manipur for the second consecutive day and directed top officials to focus on restoring peace and order there as early as possible, sources said.