Hundreds of people clashed with police in India's northeastern state of Manipur yesterday protesting an anti-terror law after a suspected woman rebel was shot dead by troops in her home.
Manipur, whose name means a land of jewels, has been on the boil since Thangjam Manorama, 30, was killed a month ago by troops who suspected she was involved in a rebellion that has run in the state for decades.
The state government withdrew the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from its capital, Imphal, and some nearby areas on Thursday. The disputed law gives security forces sweeping powers to arrest or shoot suspects.
People poured out on Imphal's streets yesterday shouting "Remove armed forces special powers act," "Go back Indian army" and "Remove Indian colonial law," defying a government ban on gatherings. Dozens of protesters suffered minor injuries after scuffles with police, witnesses said.
"We are not satisfied with the government's decision. We are going to intensify our movement now until the law is revoked from the entire state," Apunba Lup, an umbrella organization of 32 groups involved in the protest campaign, said in a statement.
Protesters said the killing of Manorama was the latest in a series of abuses under the anti-terror act, but a federal interior ministry official said it was not within Manipur's powers to scrap it and that the national government could restore it to fight the insurgency.
Offices, shops and schools remained shut in protest and soldiers and police in battle gear patrolled the city.
More than 20 armed groups operate in Manipur. They accuse New Delhi of neglecting the economy and want more freedom or independence for the state.
The anti-terror law is in force in seven northeastern states which have been torn by separatist insurgencies for decades. More than 10,000 people have died in 30 years of violence in Manipur alone.
Some years ago New Delhi restored a similar law removed by another northeastern state, Nagaland, but Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh urged the federal government let his government would deal with the situation.
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