Nueva Delhi: The Ministry of Interior (MHA) extended on Sunday the law of the Armed Forces (special powers) (AFSPA) through Manipur, except for 13 areas of the police station, for another six months due to the prevailing situation of the law and order. The law has also extended in eight Nagaland districts and 21 areas of the police station in five other districts, as well as in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of the Namsai district.
AFSPA grants powers to security forces operating in “disturbed areas”, including the authority to search, arrest and use force without prior approval.
According to an official notification, the law will continue to be applied in the TIRAP, Changlang and Longding districts of Arunachal Pradesh, as well as in areas under the police stations of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham in the Namsai district, which is going through Assam. These areas have been classified as “disturbed” under section 3 of AFSPA as of April 1, 2025.
In Nagaland, AFSPA has spread to eight districts and 21 areas of the police station in five other districts during the same duration. The decision follows a review of the security situation in the region.
In Manipur, security forces have increased operations in the region, which leads to multiple arrests and recoveries of arms. Three militants were recently arrested in Manipur, including members of the prepak (pro) and KCP prohibited groups. In addition, a man was arrested for supposedly selling Sim cards to militants for illegal activities such as extortion.
On February 13, Manipur was placed under the president’s rule after a report by the state governor. The state of the Northeast witnessed violent clashes on May 3 of last year during a demonstration organized by the Union of Tribal Students (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of the MEITEI community in the programmed tribe category.