Imphal: Ten Kuki MLAs in Manipur, including seven from the ruling BJP-led alliance, have urged the central government to extend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to the entire state. The move, they argue, is necessary to recover over 6,000 sophisticated weapons looted since the ethnic strife began on May 3, 2023.

The demand follows the Centre’s November 14 decision to reimpose AFSPA in six police station areas, including the violence-hit Jiribam. The Union Home Ministry cited the “continuous volatile situation” as the reason for the decision. Currently, most of Manipur, except for 13 police station areas, is under AFSPA.

In their joint statement, the Kuki MLAs emphasized the urgency of expanding AFSPA to the remaining areas, stating, “The imposition of AFSPA as per orders dated 14 November, 2024 indeed needs immediate review to extend the Act in the remaining 13 police jurisdictions.”

Call for Containing Violence

The ethnic violence, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki communities, erupted during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Over 220 lives have been lost since the unrest began.

The Kuki legislators argue that a full AFSPA implementation is crucial for containing the violence and restoring peace in the troubled region. They also urged both the central and state governments to initiate political dialogue to achieve long-term stability.

Criticism of Ruling Alliance

The Kuki MLAs expressed strong opposition to a recent resolution by the BJP-led NDA government in Manipur. The resolution called for a “mass operation” against Kuki militants allegedly responsible for the deaths of six civilians in Jiribam district.

Calling the resolution “divisive, one-sided, and communal,” the Kuki MLAs criticized its failure to address broader violence across the state. They also demanded that all civilian killings since May 3, 2023, in both valley and hill regions, be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

“The resolution seeking the handing over of cases relating to the death of six civilians to NIA smacks of a communalised state,” they stated, adding that broader impartial investigations are necessary.

The situation in Manipur remains tense, with growing calls for action to address the ethnic divisions and restore normalcy.