• Source:JND
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The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for six months in the entire Manipur, except the jurisdiction of 13 police stations, in view of the prevailing law and order situation there.

Along with Manipur, the AFSPA is also extended to nine districts of Nagaland and 21 police station areas in five other districts of the state for six months

According to a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry, the AFSPA, under which a particular state or some areas are declared "disturbed," is also extended to Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and three police station areas, bordering Assam, in Namsai district in the state.

The extension of the disturbed area in the three states will be effective from October 1 for six months. The AFSPA is often criticised as it gives armed forces sweeping powers while operating in disturbed areas to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary.

"And whereas, a further review of the law and order situation in the state of Manipur has been undertaken. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958), the entire State of Manipur, excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the following 13 (thirteen) Police Stations of 5 districts, is declared as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from 01.10.2025, unless withdrawn earlier," the notification related to Manipur read.

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AFSPA in Manipur 

The police station areas where the AFSPA will not be in force in Manipur are: Imphal, Lamphal, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi in Imphal West district, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung in Imphal East district, Thoubal in Thoubal district and Bishnupur and Nambol in Bishnupur district and Kakching in Kakching district.

Since February 13, the state has been under President's rule as Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who was heading a BJP-led government, resigned on February 9.

The state has witnessed ethnic unrest for over two years since May 2023. The conflict has claimed over 260 lives during this period. In Manipur, the disturbed area declaration was in force in the entire state (except the Imphal municipality area) from 2004 till early 2022.

In April 2022, the Manipur government issued a notification, revoking disturbed status in seven police station areas of Imphal West district, four police station areas under Imphal East district and one police station area each in the districts of Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching and Jiribam.

In October 2024, the Manipur government reimposed AFSPA in the entire state due to ethnic strife, barring 19 police station areas. A month later, the AFSPA was extended in six more police stations areas after violence broke out in Jiribam district.

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AFSPA in Arunachal Pradesh

A notification issued by the MHA stated a further review of the law and order situation in Arunachal was also undertaken.

"Now, therefore, Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Assam, are declared as 'disturbed area' under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2025, unless withdrawn earlier," the notification said.

(With PTI Inputs)