AFSPA Extended In Manipur Arunachal Nagaland Regions
The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland for six more months from October 2025. This follows ongoing ethnic violence and security concerns, especially in Manipur’s valley and hill districts. The Act empowers the armed forces with special authority in disturbed areas to maintain law and order.
AFSPA Extension in Manipur
Manipur has faced ethnic violence since May 2023. The entire State, except for 13 police station areas in five valley districts, remains under AFSPA. These exclusions include Imphal, Lamphel, City, and others. Earlier, the Act was withdrawn from all valley police stations between April 2022 and April 2023 due to improved security. However, the violence resurgence led to reimposition in six police stations in five districts in November 2024. The hill districts have seen continuous AFSPA coverage for over 30 years. President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur in February 2025 amid the crisis.
AFSPA Status in Nagaland
In Nagaland, AFSPA continues for another six months in nine districts including Dimapur, Mon, and Phek. Additionally, 21 police station areas across five other districts such as Kohima and Mokokchung remain covered. The Act has been a long-standing security measure in Nagaland due to insurgency and law-and-order challenges.
AFSPA Coverage in Arunachal Pradesh
The Act remains effective in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts. Areas under Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, bordering Assam, are also declared disturbed. These regions have witnessed insurgent activities and cross-border tensions.
Legal Provisions and Powers Under AFSPA
AFSPA, enacted in 1958, grants armed forces special powers in disturbed areas. These include the authority to use lethal force against those violating laws, arrest without warrant, and search premises without prior approval. The Act also protects security personnel from prosecution without Central Government sanction. It aims to enable swift action in areas with serious security threats.
Historical Context and Current Implications
AFSPA has been in force in Manipur since 1981. Manipur became a State in 1972 after being a Union Territory. The Act’s application has been controversial due to alleged human rights violations. Its periodic extensions reflect ongoing security challenges and the difficulty in restoring normalcy in insurgency-affected regions. The recent extension underlines the fragile law-and-order situation in the Northeast.
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