Withdrawal of disturbed area is a landmark decision: Manipur Guv

Imphal: Manipur Governor La Ganesan on Friday said the government’s decision to reduce the disturbed areas under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Manipur and other two northeastern states of Nagaland and Assam was a landmark decision and to fulfil the aspiration of the people of the state.

In a press statement, Governor Ganesan expressed his happiness over the state government’s decision to removed the AFSPA, 1958 from 15 police stations under six valley districts with effect from April 1, 2022, for a period of six months.

The police stations from which ‘disturbed area’ tagged has been withdrawn under Section-3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 are Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Lamlai, Irilbung, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching and Jiribam.

“Consequent upon the considerable improvement of law and order situation in the state, this remarkable step has taken by the state government to fulfil the aspiration of the people of the state,” said Governor Ganesan.

While expressing his gratitude to the central government, the Governor stated that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government was able to take this landmark decision.

He further expressed his full confidence that in due course of time, the whole state of Manipur will be free from any unwanted situation due to the invaluable cooperation from the people of the state.

Earlier, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that withdrawal of disturbed area had been a long-standing demand of the people of the state.

The state government had been informing the Central leadership about the necessity of lifting the Act from the state, Singh added.

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