Extra judicial killings in Manipur

Why in news?

The Supreme Court has directed a probe by the CBI into the alleged extra-judicial killings by security forces and police in Manipur.

What happened in Manipur?

• The court was hearing a PIL seeking probe and compensation for around 1,500 alleged extra-judicial killings in Manipur from 2000 to 2012.
• The case was made against both the security forces and police.
• Manipur is one of the states where the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is in place.
• AFSPA confers special powers to the armed personnel which includes unwarranted arrest and search in disturbed areas.
• Various reports and evidences have made serious allegations against armed forces personnel for constant rights violations.

What is the need for a CBI probe?

• Courts and commissions earlier have proposed elaborate measures to prevent the abuse of immunity.
• The Army had earlier told the Supreme Court that it cannot be subjected to FIRs for carrying out anti-militancy operations in insurgency hit areas.
• The army argues that local factors which are biased come in the way of the probe reports which went against the armed forces.
• This has necessitated an independent probe by CBI.

What impact does the case make?

• AFSPA has kept the counter-insurgency operations in the north-eastern states opaque.
• The apex court's decision has sent a clear message that AFSPA does not allow the security forces to use excessive force.
• The Act must operate with due respect for the rights and freedoms of citizens.

Source: The Indian Express