Maibam Sharat was walking with five friends past a security post in Manipur when Indian troops ordered them to put their hands up. A soldier then shot one of his friends, Ranbir, in the stomach. Despite pleas for medical help, the troops initially moved Ranbir to their camp. Four hours later, when they finally took him to the hospital, it was too late - Ranbir had succumbed to his injuries. Sharat believes the soldiers may have been acting out of frustration and anger following an attack by militants earlier that evening. Human rights organizations and political parties believe that the recent killing of Ranbir in Manipur is just one example of the many abuses committed by the military in the region under the protection of the controversial anti-terror law known as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). This law gives soldiers immunity from prosecution and has become a major issue as the state begins voting for a new legislature. Many parties agree that AFSPA should be either repealed or significantly modified. Sovakiran Singh, a legislator from the Heirok constituency where the killing occurred, stated that if his party comes to power, they will work to repeal AFSPA in the first session of the new legislature. It is possible for the government in New Delhi to overrule the state government and reinstate the law. Singh is hopeful that the government will heed the pressure coming from Manipur, where 20,000 people have lost their lives in a separatist uprising since the 1960s. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) grants extensive authority to troops to search, detain, and eliminate suspected militants even in the absence of immediate danger. Troops can only be prosecuted with approval from the central government, which is rarely granted. This law was enacted in 1958 to combat separatist insurgency in northeast India, and the army argues that it provides essential protection from politically motivated accusations. However, human rights organizations claim that the powers given by AFSPA have created an environment where security forces commit violations with impunity, including torture, sexual assault, and murder. According to Pradip Phanjoubam, editor of the Imphal Free Press daily, the creation of more insurgents and increased anger is a result of the state's gross paranoia leading to the implementation of AFSPA. Despite claims from a top official of the Border Security Force that soldiers were retaliating against militant fire in the Nongpok Sekmai shooting, residents of the hamlet do not believe him. Manipur, located 1,500 miles away from New Delhi, is considered one of India's most troubled regions, yet it remains largely overlooked by the nation. Soldiers have been present in various areas, leading to instances of violence and unrest. Over the past five years, there have been multiple incidents where soldiers were accused of killing innocent individuals, resulting in public outrage and protests. Despite these demonstrations, the number of extrajudicial killings slightly increased last year, with 18 documented cases according to Babloo Loitongbam, the director of Manipur's Human Rights Alert. Phanjoubam and Loitongbam argue that instead of a military approach, New Delhi should prioritize a political solution to address the insurgency in Manipur and bring development to the underdeveloped state. However, it remains uncertain whether political parties will be successful in advocating for genuine change. The Congress party, currently in power in India and Manipur since 2002, has been indecisive about AFSPA. Sonia Gandhi, the party leader, assured Manipuris that the government is sincerely considering the recommendations of an expert panel that suggested changes to the law 18 months ago. However, many Manipuris are doubtful about any actual changes taking place.