Centre extends AFSPA in 'disturbed areas' of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh for another six months

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for another six months.

AFSPA has been extended in the whole State of Manipur except the jurisdiction of 13 police stations in five valley districts. Manipur has been affected by ethnic violence since May 3, 2023.

“Whereas the Central government after review of the law and order situation in Manipur, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) declares the entire State of Manipur, excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the following 13 police stations of five districts, as ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 01.10.2026, unless withdrawn earlier,” the MHA notification said. The excluded police stations are Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol and Kakching.

On November 14, 2024, out of 19 police stations in seven districts of Manipur, AFSPA was reimposed in the limits of six police stations in five districts, mostly valley, in the wake of the 2023 ethnic violence. President’s Rule was imposed in the State on February 13, 2025 and revoked on February 4 this year.

AFSPA was withdrawn from all valley police stations between April 1, 2022-April 1, 2023 by the Manipur government amid improved security situation and “large sense of security among general public.” The provisions of the Act were withdrawn from the Imphal Municipality area in 2004. The disturbed area notification for the hill districts in Manipur has been periodically extended for the past three decades, with the last notification issued on March 23, 2026.

In Nagaland, AFSPA was extended for another six months in nine districts — Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Meluri and 21 police stations in five other districts of Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha and Zunheboto, another MHA notification said.

In Arunachal Pradesh, Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Assam, were declared as ‘disturbed area’ for another six months.

The 1958 law gives power to the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed in “disturbed areas” to kill anyone acting in contravention of law, arrest and search any premises without a warrant and protection from prosecution and legal suits without the Central government’s sanction. AFSPA is applicable in Manipur since 1981. Manipur, a former Union Territory attained Statehood in 1972.