AFSPA Extended Across Manipur Except 13 Police Areas, MHA Confirms
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday announced the extension of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) across the entire state of Manipur, excluding 13 police station areas, amid ongoing security concerns. The decision comes weeks after President’s Rule was imposed in the state following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, marking a significant step in addressing the persistent unrest.
The MHA’s latest order extends AFSPA to all regions of Manipur except 13 police station jurisdictions, primarily in the valley districts. This follows a period of political instability triggered by Singh’s exit on February 13, after nearly two years of ethnic violence that has claimed over 250 lives since May 2023.
The act, in place in Manipur since the early 1980s, empowers security forces to maintain order in “disturbed areas” with special provisions, including search and arrest powers without warrants.
Alongside Manipur, the MHA extended AFSPA to Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh, as well as three police station areas in the state, for another six months. This reflects the Centre’s broader strategy to manage security challenges in the Northeast, where the act remains a critical tool for the armed forces.
The extension in both states will remain effective until September 30, 2025, unless revised earlier.
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On Saturday, security forces conducted extensive search operations in Manipur’s hill and valley districts, targeting vulnerable and fringe areas. The Imphal Police reported recovering a significant cache of arms from Thangjing hill forest in Churachandpur district.
Items seized included rifles, pistols, mortars, a hand grenade, and ammunition, as detailed in a police statement: “One country-made rifle, one .22 pistol, one local-made hand grenade, and ten 5.56 mm live rounds were among the recoveries.”
The AFSPA extension follows the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, after Singh stepped down as chief minister of the BJP-led government he had led since 2017. The state assembly has been placed under suspended animation, signaling a shift to central governance amid the unresolved ethnic conflict.
The violence, which erupted in May 2023, has deepened fault lines between communities, prompting heightened security measures across the state.
Introduced in the 1950s, AFSPA grants the armed forces sweeping powers in areas declared “disturbed,” including the right to use force, conduct searches, and make arrests without prior judicial approval. While it aims to curb insurgency, the act has long faced criticism for its broad scope and impact on civil liberties.
In Manipur, its implementation dates back decades, with periodic reviews adjusting its coverage based on the security situation.
With AFSPA now extended until late September, security operations are likely to intensify in Manipur’s conflict-prone regions. The Centre’s focus remains on stabilizing the state under President’s Rule, though the long-term resolution of ethnic tensions remains uncertain.
Further updates on the political and security landscape are expected as the MHA and state authorities assess the impact of these measures in the coming months.
