Tue Dec 10 12:13:49 UTC 2024: ## Manipur Protestors Demand AFSPA Repeal After Civilian Killings

**Imphal, Manipur –** Hundreds of Manipuris, primarily women and students, staged a five-kilometer protest march in Imphal on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024, International Human Rights Day, demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). The protest followed the recent lifting of a mobile internet ban imposed after the killings of six women and children, allegedly by armed assailants in November.

The rally, organized by five prominent organizations including the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation and the Manipur Students’ Federation, saw participants carrying placards with slogans such as “Repeal AFSPA” and “Save Manipur.” Protestors condemned the violence and the killings, highlighting the deaths of three women and three children in Jiribam district, which triggered widespread unrest and the reimposition of AFSPA in parts of Imphal Valley.

While the state government lifted the internet ban, the reimposition of AFSPA in six police station areas remains a key grievance. Although some BJP and NDA MLAs have called for the Act’s withdrawal, protestors vowed to continue their demonstrations until AFSPA is repealed, citing its allowance for excessive force in counter-insurgency operations. Security was heightened during the protest to prevent further incidents. The demonstration included participants from relief camps, highlighting the ongoing impact of the violence on the civilian population.

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