A large crowd of hundreds took to the streets of Imphal, Manipur, on Tuesday to protest the reimposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and the recent killings of six people, including three children, in Jiribam district.
The protest, which marked Human Rights Day, was sparked by the tragic deaths allegedly carried out by suspected Kuki militants last month.
The rally began at Thau Ground in Imphal West district and proceeded for about 5 kms, culminating at Khuman Lampak Stadium.
Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans such as “Do not obliterate Manipur” and “Save Manipur,” calling for the immediate withdrawal of AFSPA from the state.
The event was jointly organized by several groups, including the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, All Manipur Women Voluntary Association, Committee on Human Rights, and the Manipur Students’ Federation.
S Nirupama, a woman demonstrator, voiced the collective sentiment, stating, “On this Human Rights Day, we stand united against the imposition of AFSPA in Manipur and the killings of innocent women and children by Kuki and Zo militants.”
She further said that AFSPA has brought immense suffering to the Imphal Valley and Naga areas, where civilians are being killed in the name of fighting militancy.
In light of the protest, the security presence in Imphal was heightened, although police confirmed that the rally proceeded peacefully without any incidents.
The central government had recently reimposed AFSPA in six police station areas of Manipur, including the violence-stricken Jiribam district.
The law grants sweeping powers to armed forces, allowing them to search, arrest, and even open fire in “disturbed areas” to maintain public order.
The situation in the state has escalated following the discovery of the bodies of three women and three children in the Jiri and Barak rivers in November, which intensified ethnic violence between the Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo groups from the surrounding hills.
Since May of last year, over 250 people have lost their lives in the violence, and thousands have been displaced from their homes.
The protests reflect growing discontent with the ongoing military presence and the escalating violence, with locals urging the government to reconsider its approach to restoring peace and security in the region.
