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Manipur : Army Act’s term extended |
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The Okram Ibobi Singh government in Manipur has given a fresh lease of life to the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powrers) Act by extending its application for another six months in the state. A decision to this effect was taken during a cabinet meeting presided over by Ibobi Singh on the night of May 25.
Official sources, however, clarified that the Act would not apply to the seven Assembly constituencies in Imphal municipal areas.
The Act, which allows security forces to operate with extraordinary powers, was strongly criticised by the Apunba Lup, a conglomerate of several NGOs.
“We condemn the decision though we are not surprised. The state government is only implementing New Delhi’s policy of keeping the people of the Northeast and particularly those in Manipur under subjugation,” Ph. Devan, one of its coordinators, said.
The Centre had constituted the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee to review the Act following widespread agitation in Manipur. Though the report was submitted to the government last year, the Centre is yet to take a decision on its recommendations.
Border alert
Trade between India and Myanmar came to a standstill on May 25-26, and troops of the two countries manning the international border at Moreh, were put on alert after two masked gunmen triggered a powerful blast inside a hotel at Namphalong, a busy marketplace on the Myanmar side of the border next to Gate II, around 3 pm on Friday, May 25.
The duo fired indiscriminately before fleeing the spot, injuring at least two residents of Moreh. The identity of the group behind the attack is yet to be ascertained. The Myanmarese army sealed the border and held a meeting with the Assam Rifles at Moreh.
Police suspect militant groups of Manipur or armed forces opposed to the ruling junta in Myanmar to have masterminded the attack.
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