The government on Monday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) by another six months in Manipur excluding 19 police station areas falling under the Imphal valley and a region that shares its boundary with Assam.

Act (AFSPA) by another six months in Manipur excluding 19 police station areas falling under the Imphal valley and a region that shares its boundary with Assam. In a notification, the State Government’s Home Department said the extension will come into effect from October 1.

Ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities since May last year in Manipur left more than 200 dead and thousands homeless.

The Manipur government extended the promulgation of the armed forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the entire state, except in the jurisdiction of 19 Police stations in seven districts of the Imphal Valley,

The valley police stations exempted from the Afspa, which gives security forces unbridled powers to search, arrest and shoot in areas declared as disturbed under the Act, include Imphal, Lamphel, City,

Act (AFSPA) for six months starting October 1, excluding 19 police station areas in the Imphal valley and near Assam. The decision aims to address ongoing law and order issues, particularly the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis.