IMPHAL, 14 Sep: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of multiple civil bodies based in Imphal valley, has termed the demand for re-imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the valley areas as “totally absurd” and “not logical.”
In a statement issued by its media coordinator Somendro Thokchom, the COCOMI said, “Ransoms, extortions and killings are happening in Kuki dominated areas. There is reasonable peace in all areas where AFSPA was lifted long time back.”
The COCOMI said that rampant extortion, looting on the highways and kidnappings have increased after the outbreak of the present crisis in the Kuki-majority hill areas.
This development comes after Churachandpur-based Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and Kangpokpi-based Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) demanded imposition of the AFSPA in Imphal valley in the wake of killing of three persons by unidentified gunmen near Kharam Vaiphei on Tuesday.
In April 2022, the central government had removed the disturbed areas tag under the AFSPA from 15 police station areas of Imphal valley. In March this year, Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced withdrawal of the AFSPA from another four PS areas.
The Manipur government had last extended the Disturbed Areas Act on 1 April, 2023, for a period of six months in the entire state, except for areas under the jurisdiction of the 19 police stations. (PTI)