Imphal: Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Manipur, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, has voiced concerns regarding the recent decision by the Central Government to impose the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in areas under six police stations in Manipur.
This development marks a significant shift, as it is reportedly the first instance of the Central Government directly enforcing AFSPA in the state. Traditionally, such decisions had been made by the state government.
The Congress MP pointed out that since an amendment in 1972, both the State and Central Governments have held the authority to impose AFSPA concurrently. However, he notes that previous instances of enforcement have involved the Union Government acting in a manner he describes as “surreptitious and extra-constitutional.”
According to Akoijam, in recent cases, public announcements regarding the imposition of AFSPA were made by the Union Home Minister before formal notifications were issued by the state government. This approach, he claims, effectively bypassed the state’s formal authority, with the Chief Minister publicly expressing gratitude for the decision post-announcement.
However, in this latest instance, the Central Government has opted to impose AFSPA directly, discarding previous subtle procedures.
The November 14, 2024, notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs outlines the rationale behind this decision, emphasizing the need for coordinated operations to uphold security and address insurgency concerns amid the ongoing unrest in Manipur, which began in May 2023.
The imposition of AFSPA by both state and central authorities has created a complex situation, as these concurrent jurisdictions present a unique scenario in the state.
Akoijam further questioned the efficacy of this measure, pointing out that previous efforts had not succeeded in restoring peace in the state. He underscores the importance of genuine political commitment to resolve the crisis and bring stability back to Manipur, emphasizing that such an approach would be more impactful than continued reliance on AFSPA as a security measure.
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