In defiance of a curfew imposed in Manipur due to ongoing violence, members of various civil society organizations gathered for a rally in Imphal West on Tuesday to protest against the reimposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in parts of the northeastern state. The rally, which was organized by groups like the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) and Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, began in the Kwakeithel area and covered about 3.5 kilometers before it was stopped by police at Keisampat junction for violating the curfew.

Protesters strongly condemned the reimposition of AFSPA in six police station areas, including the violence-hit Jiribam district, which had seen a recent firing incident. A clash between security forces and a mob in Jiribam on Sunday night left one person dead and another injured. This incident further fueled opposition to the controversial law, which gives armed forces sweeping powers, including the authority to search, arrest, and fire upon civilians deemed to be a threat to public order.

The Union Home Ministry had reimposed AFSPA in six police station areas of Manipur—Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, and Moirang—citing the ongoing ethnic violence and security concerns in the region.