Mizzima: Manipur declared as "Distu

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Manipur declared as 'Disturbed Area'

Imphal, June 11, 2000
Mizzima News Group (http://www.mizzima.com)

Manipur, one of the north eastern states of India, has been declared as
"disturbed area" by the government under the provision of Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act 1958 to deal with the insurgency problem. According
to a notification of the Manipur Government, the re-imposition of the
Act came into force from June 1 and shall continue for two years.

In view of continued violence in the State, the Manipur Government in
December 1999 re-imposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act,
declaring the State a Disturbed Area and that ended on June 1.

Not less than 15 major and minor insurgent groups are active in Manipur
State which has about 358 kilometers-long international border with
Burma. The demands of the insurgent groups range from the creation of a
separation state within the Indian Union to outright sovereignty.

Among them are the banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the
Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), the People's Revolutionary Party of
Kangleipak (PREPAK) and the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) which are
waging war for ?independent? Manipur.

Moreover, other North East insurgent groups have influence and their
activities in Manipur State. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland
- Issak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) has been carrying out their activities in
Manipur State, particularly in the Naga inhabited districts of the state
while another faction (the NSCN- Khaplang) operates in the Indo-Burma
border areas.

Indian army had deployed over 20,000 men in Manipur State alone.