New Delhi, March 30: The Central Government announced on Sunday the extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in select regions of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh for an additional six months, following a review of the law and order situation in these areas.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued separate notifications, extending AFSPA in parts of these three states starting from April 1, 2025. In Manipur, the entire state will be designated as a 'disturbed area' under AFSPA, except for regions covered by 13 police stations across five districts.
The exempted police stations in Manipur include Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, and Wangoi in Imphal West district; Porompat, Heingang, and Irilbung in Imphal East district; Thoubal in Thoubal district; Bishnupur and Nambol in Bishnupur district; and Kakching in Kakching district.
This decision comes as the MHA emphasized the need for maintaining public order and ensuring security in these troubled regions. The notification states, "The Central Government, after reviewing the law and order situation in the state of Manipur, in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, declares the entire state of Manipur, excluding areas under the jurisdiction of the 13 police stations in five districts, as a 'disturbed area' for six months starting from April 1, 2025."
The extension is particularly significant as Manipur has been under President’s rule since February, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The state has been struggling with ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023.
Meanwhile, in Nagaland, the MHA declared Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren districts as 'disturbed areas' under Section 3 of the AFSPA. Specific police station areas in five other districts in Nagaland are also included in the extension. These areas include:
Kohima district: Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza, and Kezocha police stations
Mokokchung district: Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem, and Anaki C police stations
Longleng district: Yanglok police station
Wokha district: Bhandari, Champang, and Ralan police stations
Zunheboto district: Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto, and Aghunato police stations
The notification adds, "Therefore, Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren districts, along with areas in Nagaland falling under the jurisdiction of the aforementioned police stations, are declared as 'disturbed areas' under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months starting from April 1, 2025, unless withdrawn earlier."
This extension follows the initial notification dated September 25, 2024, which had declared these areas as disturbed for six months starting from October 1, 2024. With the new order, this status remains in effect until further review or withdrawal.
The AFSPA extension grants security forces enhanced powers to conduct operations, make arrests, and use force where necessary to maintain public order. The government has emphasized that the security situation will be continuously assessed to determine the need for further extensions.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the MHA also extended AFSPA for another six months, effective from April 1, 2025. This extension applies to the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, as well as areas under the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai District, which shares a border with Assam. These areas had already been declared 'disturbed' under AFSPA in a notification issued on September 25, 2024. The latest decision allows security forces to continue their enhanced operational authority in these regions to maintain law and order, with the MHA monitoring the situation closely and making future assessments for further extensions or adjustments.
(With agency inputs)
