Extension of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another six months in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland as of September 26, 2025.
Manipur
- The AFSPA has been extended in the entire state of Manipur except for areas under the jurisdiction of 13 police stations across five valley districts, due to ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023.
- The excluded police stations include Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, and Kakching.
- Previously, on November 14, 2024, AFSPA was reimposed in six police stations in five districts due to escalating violence.
- President’s Rule was imposed on February 13, 2024, and AFSPA was withdrawn from valley police stations between April 1, 2022, and April 1, 2023, amid improved security.
- The Act has been in place since 1981 as Manipur transitioned from a Union Territory to a state in 1972.
Nagaland
- The AFSPA was extended for another six months in nine districts, including Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Meluri.
- It was also extended to 21 police station limits in five other districts: Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto.
Arunachal Pradesh
- Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts were declared as ‘disturbed areas’ for another six months.
- Areas within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, bordering Assam, were also included.
Powers under AFSPA
- The 1958 law allows the Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in “disturbed areas” to take actions such as:
- Killing anyone acting in contravention of law.
- Arresting and searching any premises without a warrant.
- Providing protection from prosecution and legal suits without the Central government’s sanction.