NEW DELHI/IMPHAL — mid the escalating violence, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday reimposed the stringent Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958  six police station areas of five Manipur districts, including the recent violence-hit Jiribam, to give more powers to the army and paramilitary forces to take stringent action against the militants and other armed cadres. The MHA notification said that the security situation in Manipur has been further reviewed in consultation with the stakeholders and it is noted that the situation continues to remain volatile amidst ongoing ethnic violence in the state. “Intermittent firing in violence-prone areas continues in the fringe areas of Bishnupur-Churachandpur, Imphal East-Kangpokpi-Imphal West, and Jirihan districts with several instances of active participation of insurgent groups in heinous acts of violence. …..the Central government is of the opinion that imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in six police stations of 5 districts in Manipur is warranted to carry out well-coordinated operations by the security forces to maintain the security situation and contain the activities of insurgent groups in these areas,” the notification said. The AFSPA gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if...