Defying curfew, people march in Imphal East against AFSPA

Guwahati: Defying the curfew, several civil society organisations Monday took out a protest march in Imphal East district against the reimposition of AFSPA in the jurisdiction of six police stations across five districts and condemned the recent kidnapping and killing of six Meitei women and children in Jiribam by Kuki militants.The Nov 11 incident in Jiribam's Jakuradhor village also saw a gunfight between CRPF personnel and Kuki militants. Monday's demonstration was organised by local clubs and Meira Paibis (women vigilantes), who held placards calling for "removal of AFSPA from the state", to "stop imposition of the draconian law" and to "stop killing of women and children".Expressing dissatisfaction with the Centre's response to the Meitei-Kuki conflict, the protesters argued that bringing back AFSPA would worsen the regional discord. AFSPA grants extensive authority to armed forces in disturbed regions, including powers to search, arrest and use lethal force when deemed necessary for maintaining public order. It has been brought back in six police station jurisdictions — Sekmai and Lamsang (Imphal West), Lamlai (Imphal East), Jiribam (Jiribam district), Leimakhong (Kangpokpi) and Moirang (Bishnupur district).Meanwhile, the state govt after reviewing the situation further extended the mobile internet suspension until Wednesday evening across several districts including Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl and Jiribam to prevent potential law and order disruptions.