Amid Student-Led Protests, Manipur To Remain as 'Disturbed Area' Under AFSPA

Tensions flared up in Manipur again over the deaths of two Meitei students.

Security personnel on duty during a protest rally by school students against the killing of two Meitei youths, in Imphal West district on Wednesday, 27 September.

(Photo: PTI)

Over the past few days, scores of demonstrators in Manipur have taken to the streets, demanding justice for two Meitei students who were allegedly abducted and are presumed dead.

In response, security personnel have cracked down on protesters by using tear gas and lathicharge.

• More than 120 student are said to be injured.

• On Tuesday, the CM Biren Singh-led government imposed an internet shutdown across the state – just days after the ban had been lifted.

• Both government and private schools have been shut in the state on Wednesday and Friday.

• A full curfew has also been imposed in Imphal East and Imphal West district, as per PTI.

The backstory: Two Meitei students, aged 17 and 20, reportedly went missing from Imphal on 6 July. The two students remained untraced for the last two months even as security agencies searched for them and locals took to the streets to locate them.

• Recently, photos were circulated online purportedly showing the two students sitting on the ground, in what appears to be a forest, with two armed men in the background.

• Another photo shows them lying on the ground, presumably after they were shot dead.

• Their bodies, however, are reportedly yet to be found.

• The case has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation. CBI Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar arrived in the state at 3pm on Wednesday.

What they're saying: Condemning the use of brutal force against students in Manipur, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that it was "high time that the Manipur CM be sacked."

• “For 147 days, people of Manipur are suffering, but PM Modi does not have time to visit the state," Kharge wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding that "the horrific images of students being targeted in this violence has once again shocked the entire nation."

• "It has been the collective failure of both the Union Home Minister and the Manipur Chief Minister as they have failed to restore peace in the state," Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said.

Know more: Manipur's status as a 'disturbed area' will continue for the next six months starting from 1 October, except at 19 police stations, according to a notification dated Wednesday, 27 September.

• The decision has been taken under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, citing "activities of various extremist/insurgent groups."

• "Further, the issue of declaration of "Disturbed area" status is very sensitive and may likely attract public criticism and resistance if proper care is not taken," the notification read.

Yes, but: The status of 'Disturbed Area' does not apply to police stations in the following parts of the state:

• Imphal

• Lamphel

• City

• Singjamei

• Lamsang

• Patsoi

• Wangoi

• Porompat

• Heingang

• Lamlai

• Irilbung

• Leimakhong

• Thoubal

• Bishnupur

• Nambol

• Moirang

• Kakching

• Jiribam

The notification.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

What it means: In parts of the country that are categorised as 'disturbed areas' under AFSPA, security and armed forces personnel are allowed to search, arrest, and open fire if deemed necessary for the "maintenance of public order."

Meanwhile, some parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland will also continue to remain as 'disturbed area' under AFSPA, news agency PTI reported.