Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM): AFSPA

PRESS RELEASE
Lamka, the 7th August, 2024
04/KIM/PR./22-68: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), a draconian law still
imposed exclusively in the hill districts of Manipur, is not only a violation of human rights but is also
biased. The Kuki-Zo areas of the hill districts have been relatively peaceful, with the Kuki-Zo
insurgent groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO) and has no history of conflict with the Indian
Army or the Indian state since the SoO pact was signed.
The ongoing imposition of AFSPA in the hill districts of Manipur, while it has been revoked in the
valley areas, is a discriminatory act against the hill tribal population. The withdrawal of AFSPA and the
subsequent resolve to extend the withdrawal of AFSPA in the valley areas even after the Arambai
Tenggol militia forced the state legislators to comply with their demands at Kangla Fort, Imphal, on
January 24, 2024, is particularly concerning against the backdrop of the continuous extension of
AFSPA in the hill areas. Given that more than 6,000 arms looted in the Imphal valley remains in the
hands of militias; it is self-evident that AFSPA should be applied in the valley areas, where Meitei
insurgent groups have a history of secessionist demands from the Indian Union.
The withdrawal of AFSPA in the valley has proven to be detrimental to the enforcement of law and
order. Since the ethnic cleansing campaign on May 3, more than 6000 arms and a significant amount of
ammunition were looted from state armories. There were instances when the Assam Rifles were forced
to release valley-based insurgent groups (VBIGs) due to local interference from the Meiteis. While the
VBIGs savour the removal of AFSPA in the valley; the Kuki-Zo people are facing the brunt; having
been forced to defend ourselves from continuous Meitei aggressions. This may have resulted from the
strategic increase in the withdrawal of AFSPA in the 19 police stations of Imphal Valley in March
2023, prior to the violence, whereas AFSPA was conveniently imposed in all the hill districts
Regarding the demand for removal of the Assam Rifles by the valley-based organisations, it is primary
to note that the role of the Assam Rifles is essentially border management and counter-insurgency.
Their presence therefore is crucial, as the situation in Manipur remains counter-insurgency in nature
with over 6,000 sophisticated weapons still in radicalised civilian hands, and VBIGs still brandishing
their weapons on the streets of the Imphal Valley. More so; the state-sponsored nature of the ethnic
cleansing campaign necessitates for a strong presence of the Central Security Forces specialised in
counter-insurgency.
In essence, the partial removal of AFSPA is a clear deception of the Government of India by the
Manipur state government. It is a grave misuse of the suggestive powers of the state government under
the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. Therefore, KIM urges the Central Government to
immediately revoke AFSPA in the hill districts. Alternatively, if AFSPA is deemed necessary, it should
be imposed in the Imphal valley areas, where it is most required due to the history of secessionist
demands by Meitei insurgent groups.

Sd/-
(JANGHAOLUN HAOKIP)
Secretary, Information & Publicity
Kuki Inpi Manipur 

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