November 14, 2024: The Central government has reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas of Manipur, including the violence-affected district of Jiribam. The decision, announced by the Union Home Ministry, comes in response to the ongoing ethnic violence and deteriorating security situation in the region.

The areas where AFSPA has been reintroduced include Sekmai and Lamsang in Imphal West, Lamlai in Imphal East, Jiribam in Jiribam district, Leimakhong in Kangpokpi, and Moirang in Bishnupur. These areas are now classified as "disturbed" under the law, allowing security forces to operate with enhanced powers in their efforts to control the unrest. The reimposition follows a series of violent incidents, including armed attacks and abductions, which have intensified the sense of insecurity across the state.

This latest order is an extension of the state government's earlier decision to impose AFSPA across Manipur on October 1, 2024. However, 19 police station areas, including those now reclassified under the Act, were initially excluded from the state's blanket imposition. The reimposition of AFSPA in these areas was deemed necessary due to the continuing volatility and ethnic clashes that have plagued the region.

The violence in Jiribam has been particularly severe. On Monday, 11 suspected militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces after insurgents, wearing camouflage and armed with sophisticated weapons, attacked a police station and a nearby CRPF camp. The assault left several casualties and underscored the rising threat posed by insurgent groups in the area. The following day, militants abducted six civilians, including women and children, further escalating tensions in the district.

The reimposition of AFSPA is expected to provide additional legal powers to security forces in dealing with insurgency, but it may also provoke criticism over its impact on human rights and the increased militarization of the region. The Union Home Ministry justified the move by citing the ongoing instability and the need to maintain public order in these troubled areas. The fresh order is set to remain in place until further review, as the situation in Manipur continues to evolve.