AFSPA Extended for Six Months in Parts of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh
The Union Home Ministry has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, for another six months in several areas of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, effective October 1. The notification declares these regions as 'disturbed areas' due to the prevailing law and order situation. The controversial law, which grants sweeping powers to armed forces, will remain in force across all of Manipur except for 13 police station areas, as well as in nine districts of Nagaland and specific districts of Arunachal.
Unpacked:
The AFSPA is intended to empower the armed forces to maintain public order in areas deemed 'disturbed' due to insurgency or violence. It grants powers such as arrest without warrant, search without consent, and use of force, including lethal force, to restore order and support civil authorities.
These states have experienced prolonged insurgency, ethnic tensions, and militancy that often overwhelm local law enforcement. The declaration allows the central government to deploy armed forces with special powers when local police action is insufficient to maintain control.
AFSPA is controversial because it grants sweeping powers and legal immunity to armed forces, which critics argue has led to human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions. Supporters maintain it is necessary to combat serious threats to national security.
Areas are excluded based on periodic government assessments of law and order, insurgency levels, and security needs. If authorities judge that normalcy has returned or threats have diminished, specific police station jurisdictions or districts may be exempted from AFSPA.