AFSPA extended for six months in several parts of northeastern states, including Manipur: details inside

New Delhi: On Friday, 26 September 2025, the Union Home Ministry extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for six months, declaring several parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland as “disturbed areas.” Given the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur, which has been in turmoil for more than two years, the AFSPA has been extended for six months across the entire state, except for the jurisdictions of 13 police stations.

According to a notification issued by the Home Ministry, the AFSPA, which declares a particular state or certain areas as “disturbed areas,” has also been extended for six months in nine districts of Nagaland and 21 police station areas in five other districts. This law has been extended to three districts of Arunachal Pradesh: Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, as well as three police station areas in Namsai district, bordering Assam.

AFSPA extension to come into effect from October 1

The extension of “disturbed areas” to these specific areas in the three northeastern states will take effect from October 1 and will remain in effect for six months. Several areas in Nagaland’s Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto districts have been declared “disturbed areas.”

AFSPA has been consistently criticised as a draconian law. This law gives the armed forces operating in “disturbed areas” wide powers, including search, arrest and firing if necessary.

AFSPA in Manipur

The notification issued by the Ministry regarding Manipur stated, “A further review of the current law and order situation in Manipur has been conducted. Under the powers conferred under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, the entire state, except the areas falling under the jurisdiction of 13 police stations in 5 districts, is declared a “disturbed area” for a period of six months from October 1, 2025, unless revoked earlier.”

Manipur areas exempted

The police station areas in Manipur where AFSPA will not be applicable are Imphal, Lamphal, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi in Imphal West district, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung in Imphal East district, Thoubal in Thoubal district, Bishnupur and Nambol in Bishnupur district, and Kakching in Kakching district. Violence-ravaged Manipur has been under President’s rule since February 13, after Chief Minister N Biren Singh, heading the BJP-led government, resigned on February 9 following the ongoing ethnic violence. More than 260 people have died in the violence since May 2023.

HIGHLIGHTS

• AFSPA extended for six months in several parts of three northeastern states.
• The AFSPA has been extended for six months across Manipur, except for the 13 police stations.
• AFSPA has also been extended for six months in Nagaland.
• AFSPA has been extended to three districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

The extension of “disturbed areas” to these specific areas in the three northeastern states will take effect from October 1 and will remain in effect for six months. Several areas in Nagaland’s Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto districts have been declared “disturbed areas.”