The student body said restoring trust among hill communities, especially Nagas, must be a priority for the new government. ANSAM alleged rights violations under AFSPA and raised concerns over recent incidents involving security forces and militant groups.
BY PC Bureau
March 17: Amid continuing tensions in the hill districts, the All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) has called for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and the replacement of the Assam Rifles in Manipur, urging the state’s leadership to take immediate steps to address long-standing concerns of Naga communities.
In a formal representation submitted to the Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, the association extended congratulations to the newly sworn-in leadership and expressed hope that the government would prioritise justice, peace and inclusive governance at a critical juncture for the state.
ANSAM said the current situation presents an opportunity for the government to rebuild trust among communities, particularly in the hill areas, where it said grievances have remained unresolved for years. It stressed that meaningful engagement with tribal populations, especially Nagas, is essential for long-term stability.
Flagging AFSPA as a central issue, the student body described the law as “draconian” and alleged that its prolonged enforcement in Naga-inhabited areas has led to widespread suffering. It claimed that the Act has enabled human rights violations and fostered a climate of fear among civilians.
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The association further argued that the continued imposition of AFSPA runs counter to the spirit of the 1997 Indo-Naga Ceasefire Agreement and the 2015 Framework Agreement, both of which were aimed at resolving the decades-old Naga political issue.
Raising security-related concerns, ANSAM alleged that personnel of the Assam Rifles have, at times, operated in close coordination with Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement. It said such alleged actions have deepened mistrust and heightened insecurity among Naga populations.
The representation cited specific recent incidents, including reported movement of armed groups alongside security forces in Senapati district, dismantling of community defensive structures in Waphong Inthan village, and the abduction of civilians from Shangkai village. These incidents, it said, have raised serious questions about neutrality and accountability in conflict-affected areas.
Calling the situation a threat to peace and social cohesion, ANSAM demanded an impartial and thorough inquiry into these incidents, along with concrete steps to ensure the safety and rights of all communities.
Reiterating its key demands, the association urged the government to repeal AFSPA from Naga areas and replace the Assam Rifles with forces that can function with “professionalism, neutrality and fairness.”
It also called on the state leadership to take up the issue in the ongoing Assembly session, stating that timely and decisive action would be crucial to restoring public confidence and advancing peace efforts in Manipur.
