For a state whose name has come to be associated with a civil rights activist, Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on fast for the past 11 years demanding the removal of AFSPA in force in most part of the state (the Act was repealed from Imphal city in August 2004 ), the condition of civil liberties does not augur well. Be it alleged extrajudicial killings, rape or murder, members of the security forces have been facing people’s ire. The fear of being arrested or shot dead by the security forces just on the suspicion of being a militant has played on the psyche of ordinary Manipuris. And what has added to the anger is that no one has ever been punished for the ‘excesses’. With no denying that every Manipuri opposes the AFSPA, the issue is set to play a major role in the upcoming polls.

The security situation in the insurgency-hit state remains bad. Nearly 15 militant outfits are active in the state and in the period between 2007 and 2011, over 1,500 people were killed in militancy-related violence; among them were 1,011 militants and 406 civilians, as per government statistics.