Manipur Rights Group Demands Withdrawal of UAPA Notification Granting Powers to Junior Officers

What Happened?

A prominent human rights organization in Manipur has raised serious objections to a state government order that expands anti-terror law powers to junior police officers. The Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) on Thursday, April 23, 2026, demanded the rollback of a notification issued by Manipur’s Home Department activating Section 43A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

The notification grants officers ranked as low as Head Constable or Havildar — in both civil and armed police — the authority to arrest individuals, search premises, and seize property, acting on behalf of the designated authority across the state, with immediate effect.

What Powers Does the Notification Hand Over?

Under the order, the Secretary (Home) has been named the “designated authority” under Section 43A of the UAPA. Officers empowered by this notification can:

• Arrest individuals if they have a “reason to believe” a UAPA offense has been or may be committed
• Search any building, vehicle, or premises at any hour — including late at night
• Seize documents, assets, or property suspected to be connected to unlawful activities
• Act on suspicion of evidence possession linked to anti-national activities

A Manipur government spokesperson defended the move, stating it is intended to improve operational response on the ground. The order carries no expiry date and will remain active until the government formally withdraws it.

Why Is YFPHR Opposed to This?

The YFPHR did not mince words in its response. The forum described the notification as “shocking” and warned of serious consequences if it is not withdrawn.

Their core concerns are:

1. Risk of Creating Fear Among Civilians The forum warned that handing such wide legal powers to lower-ranked officers could be used to build a “climate of psychological fear” among ordinary people — particularly those currently participating in protests.

2. Criminalizing Peaceful Protests YFPHR specifically flagged the danger of these powers being used to “criminalise unarmed and frustrated civilians” at a time when peaceful demonstrations are already underway across the Imphal Valley.

3. Disproportionate Use of Law The organization stated that activating Section 43A in the current situation appears excessive and disproportionate, given that the protests have remained peaceful and are focused on seeking justice.

What Is the Current Situation on the Ground?

The notification comes at a particularly tense moment. Since April 19, 2026, Meitei women’s groups and social organizations have been holding protests across the five-district Imphal Valley, demanding accountability for the killing of two minors in Tronglaobi, Bishnupur district, on April 7.

Protesters enforced a seven-day shutdown to pressure the Yumnam Khemchand Singh government into taking action against those responsible.

While acknowledging that the state government handed over the Tronglaobi case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the YFPHR maintained that citizens have every right to hold peaceful demonstrations demanding justice, transparency, and fair inquiry.

The Broader Crisis Context

This latest development does not exist in isolation. Manipur has been dealing with deep ethnic unrest since May 2023, when clashes between the Meitei community and Kuki-Zo tribes broke out following disputes over Scheduled Tribe status, land rights, and forest evictions.

According to the Manipur government’s own figures, over 58,800 people have been displaced due to ethnic violence since that time — highlighting the scale of the ongoing humanitarian situation.”

What Is YFPHR Asking For?

The rights forum made three clear demands:

1. Immediate withdrawal of the Section 43A notification
2. Accountability measures for those responsible for recent violent incidents, particularly the Tronglaobi killings
3. Active protection of civilian rights rather than expansion of security powers over ordinary citizens

The YFPHR urged the authorities to shift focus from legal enforcement tools toward addressing the genuine public grievances that are driving people onto the streets in the first place.

Why Does This Matter?

UAPA is not a routine law. It is one of India’s toughest pieces of legislation, designed to deal with terrorism and organized anti-national activity. Under its provisions:

• Bail is extremely difficult to obtain
• A person can be held for up to 180 days without being formally charged
• The burden of proof tilts heavily against the accused

The delegation of such powers to junior officers has prompted concerns about whether adequate safeguards and accountability mechanisms are in place.

Bottom Line

Manipur continues to face a sensitive situation, with ongoing protests and heightened public concern. The government’s decision to expand enforcement powers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has drawn criticism from rights groups, which have raised questions about its potential impact on civil liberties.

The issue now centres on balancing security measures with the protection of individual rights, as authorities and civil society stakeholders respond to the evolving situation.