The central government has prolonged the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland. In Arunachal Pradesh, the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, along with the Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police station areas of Namsai district (which shares a border with Assam), will have AFSPA in effect for an additional six months. This decision, made under Section 3 of the AFSPA, 1958, is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2025, and will last for six months, unless repealed earlier. This decision came after a thorough evaluation of the law and order and security dynamics within these regions. AFSPA provides broad powers to the armed forces operating in designated disturbed areas, permitting them to conduct searches, make arrests, and use force if necessary. The law has frequently faced criticism.
Simultaneously, the AFSPA has been extended for six months across most of Manipur, excluding areas under 13 police stations, due to prevailing law and order issues. In addition, in Nagaland, AFSPA has been extended for six months in nine districts and 21 police station jurisdictions in five other districts. Under AFSPA, the government can designate particular states or regions as disturbed areas.
The notifications state that the disturbed area status for the corresponding regions in the three states is extended for six months from October 1. The notification pertaining to Manipur indicates that the entire state is designated as a disturbed area for six months from October 1, 2025, except for areas under 13 police stations. These exceptions encompass areas in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts. The state has been coping with ethnic violence since May 2023. President’s rule has been in place in the state since February 13. The ethnic clashes in Manipur have resulted in the deaths of over 260 individuals.