AFSPA extended in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for six months

In Manipur, the home ministry has extended the declaration of “disturbed areas” across the state, excluding areas under the jurisdiction of 13 police stations in five districts. File | Photo credit: PTI

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for another six months.

AFSPA has been extended in the entire state of Manipur except the jurisdiction of 13 police stations in five valley districts. Manipur has been affected by ethnic violence since 3 May 2023.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has declared the entire state of Manipur, except the areas under 13 specific police stations, as a “disturbed area” under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.

The declaration will remain in force for six months from 1 October 2026 if… pic.twitter.com/sy1GbMDfTt

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 25, 2026

“Whereas the Central Government, after reviewing the law and order situation in Manipur, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958), declares the entire State of Manipur, excluding the areas under the jurisdiction of the following 13 police stations of five districts, as an area with effect from six months as ‘ 01.10.2026 unless withdrawn earlier,” the MHA notification said. The excluded police stations are Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol and Kakching.

On 14 November 2024, out of 19 police stations in seven districts of Manipur, AFSPA was re-imposed in six police stations in five districts, mostly valleys, in the wake of ethnic violence in 2023. President’s rule was imposed in the state on 13 February 2025 and revoked on 4 February that year.

The AFSPA was withdrawn from all police stations in the valley between 1 April 2022 and 1 April 2023 by the Manipur government due to the improved security situation and “great sense of security among the general public”. The provisions of the Act were withdrawn from the Imphal municipality area in 2004. The disturbed area notification for the hill districts of Manipur has been regularly extended for the past three decades, with the last notification being issued on 23 March 2026.

In Nagaland, AFSPA has been extended for another six months in nine districts – Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Meluri and 21 police stations in five other districts of Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha and Zunheboto, another MHA notification said.

Arunachal Pradesh, Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and areas under the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Assam, have been declared a “disturbed area” for the next six months.

The 1958 Act gives powers to the army and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) deployed in “disturbed areas” to kill anyone acting in violation of the law, arrest and search any premises without a warrant and protection from prosecution and legal action without the sanction of the central government. AFSPA has been in effect in Manipur since 1981. Manipur, a former Union Territory, gained statehood in 1972.

Published – 25 Sep 2026 19:19 IST