AFSPA extended in parts of Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was on Friday extended to nine districts in Nagaland and 21 police station areas in five other districts of the state for six months, according to a notification issued by the Union home ministry.
The AFSPA, under which a particular state or some areas are declared “disturbed”, has also been extended for six months in entire Manipur, except the jurisdiction of 13 police stations, in view of the prevailing law and order situation there.
In a notification, the home ministry said a further review of the law and order situation in Nagaland has been undertaken.
After that, Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Meluri districts in Nagaland were declared as ‘disturbed area’ under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (SpecialPowers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2025, unless withdrawn earlier.
The government also declared that areas falling within the jurisdiction of i) Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police stations in Kohima District; ii) Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki ‘C’ police stations in Mokokchung District iii) Yanglok police station in Longleng District; iv) Bhandari, Champang and Ralan police stations in Wokha District; and v) Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto District, will continued to be notified as ‘disturbed area’ under the AFSPA for six more months with effect from October 1.
The law was also extended to Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and three police station areas, bordering Assam, in Namsai district in the state.
The extension of the disturbed area in the particular areas in the three states will be effective from October 1 for six months.
The AFSPA, often criticised as a draconian law, gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary.