The Union government has extended the application of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, in designated 'disturbed areas' across Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh for an additional six months. According to official gazette notifications issued on Friday, the extension takes effect from October 1.
The decision follows a comprehensive review of the prevailing law and order situation in the three states. Under Section 3 of the Act, the Centre retains the authority to declare specific regions as 'disturbed areas,' granting special powers to the Armed Forces to maintain security.
In Manipur, the 'disturbed area' status has been extended across the entire state, with the exception of jurisdictions covered by 13 police stations. These include Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, and Wangoi in Imphal West; Porompat, Heingang, and Irilbung in Imphal East; Thoubal in Thoubal district; Bishnupur and Nambol in Bishnupur district; and Kakching in Kakching district.
For Nagaland, the extension applies to nine districts: Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Meluri. Additionally, the Act remains in force within the jurisdictions of 21 police stations across the districts of Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the AFSPA continues in the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding. The order also encompasses areas falling under the Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, which shares a border with Assam. The notification specifies that these measures will remain in effect for six months unless they are withdrawn earlier by the government.
