Central Security Forces Condemned for "Unwanted Actions" in Manipur

In a meeting on Saturday night presided over by the chief minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, the state cabinet denounced the "unwanted actions" of the federal security personnel toward citizens during the gunfight on Friday that resulted in three fatalities and over 50 injuries. Additionally, it decided to inform the Center about the occurrence.

The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces and the state and paramilitary forces in areas classified as "disturbed areas," was approved for another six months, among other important decisions made by the cabinet as it reviewed the overall situation in the conflict-torn northeastern state.

Additionally, it authorized a permanent housing program for those displaced by the ongoing ethnic unrest that has lasted for more than four months. Wherever the conditions are right for those displaced by violence to return to their original neighborhoods, the state will construct housing. At a projected cost of roughly 75 crore, the first phase would see the construction of about 1,000 permanent homes. 

The cabinet decided that Manipur will also have a compensation program for female victims and survivors of sexual assault and other crimes committed during the state's ethnic unrest, which began on May 3 after protests against a Manipur High Court order requesting the state government to recommend that Meities be given Scheduled Tribe status escalated into a full-fledged ethnic conflict.