Might reimpose AFSPA; govt won't stay still: Assam CM

Imphal: Those engaging in violence in Manipur will invite stringent actions from the government, which might go to the extent of the reimposition of AFSPA, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Tuesday. He said that he is "highly upset over the ongoing violent incidents in Manipur, PTI reported.

"Whatever is going on in the society now is too much. The government will find it really hard to tolerate if anyone or any group keeps on taking the law into their own hands. The central government will not keep on looking. If AFSPA is again reimposed, they will be held responsible," he said after visiting those injured in a firing incident at Lilong Chingjao area in Manipur's Thoubal district.

"Elements who continuously engage in violence should be held accountable if the government takes any stringent action, including the reimposition of the unwanted AFSPA ... I am highly upset (sic). The government cannot watch all these forever," he said.

AFSPA was extended for six months in the hill areas of the northeastern state for six months since October last year, and 19 police station areas in the Imphal Valley area and an area that shares its boundary with neighbouring Assam were kept outside its purview despite the violent ethnic conflict that broke out in May.

The chief minister asked the people not to take the law into their hands and to inform the authorities concerned if they found anything suspicious so that the necessary legal actions could be taken. He also asked them to identify the "enemies of Manipur" and face them unitedly rather than engage in internal clashes.

Singh visited the injured at Raj Medicity, a private hospital here. Four persons received bullet wounds in the firing, and two of them who were injured critically were being treated in the ICU of the hospital.

Four villagers were gunned down by cadres of the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), the political wing of the banned People's Liberation Army (PLA) in minority-dominated Lilong Chingjao on Monday. Ten others were injured in the incident and are currently undergoing treatment.