Ten Kuki legislators in the Manipur Assembly, including seven from the ruling BJP-led alliance, have called for the extension of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) across the entire state. The move aims to facilitate the recovery of over 6,000 looted sophisticated weapons reportedly stolen by Meitei groups during ongoing ethnic clashes.
The Union Home Ministry reimposed AFSPA on November 14 in Jiribam and six police station areas, citing the “volatile situation” caused by ethnic discord since May 3, 2024. In a joint statement on November 20, the Kuki MLAs urged the Centre to expand AFSPA to the remaining 13 police jurisdictions, stating, “A comprehensive enforcement is necessary to address the unrest and ensure recovery of the stolen arms.” The violence, sparked by the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, began during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized by the Kukis. Tensions have since escalated, with communities clashing over identity and land rights.
The Kuki legislators also condemned a recent resolution by BJP-led NDA MLAs calling for a “mass operation” against Kuki militants. The resolution accused these groups of involvement in the Jiribam killings of three women and three children and demanded swift action.