Photo Courtesy: nenews
Imphal: The Ministry of Home Affairs renewed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. This order takes effect October 1 and lasts for six months. Federal officials opted for this move after a fresh review of the local law and order situation.
Manipur retains its disturbed area status across the state. However, the government exempted 13 police station jurisdictions from the mandate. These include Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, and Wangoi in Imphal West. Porompat, Heingang, and Irilbung in Imphal East are also exempt. The list includes Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, and Kakching stations. The central government first marked the state as a disturbed area in 2023.
Nagaland faces similar restrictions across nine districts. The order targets Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Meluri. Another 21 police station jurisdictions fall under the act across Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto districts.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the government applied the act to Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts. It also covers Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham stations in Namsai district. Officials cited a "further review of the law and order situation" to justify the ongoing use of the military law.
Updated at 26th September 2026 at 1:49pm
The order stays in effect until March 31, 2027, unless the government pulls the plug early. While officials cite general law and order issues, the region remains volatile. Recent violence includes the killing of four Naga civilians at Pilong in Kamjong on September 24. Villagers in Kangpokpi have also faced attacks along the Imphal-Tamenglong road, leaving homes burned and families displaced.
Security chiefs, including the Manipur DGP, have ramped up deployments and reviews in vulnerable areas like Ukhrul to address the spike in localized fighting.
Updated at 26th September 2026 at 6:00pm
The extension aligns with a broader push to shrink the footprint of the act. Home Minister Amit Shah recently stated the government intends to pull the law from most of the Northeast by next year. Despite this, the Home Ministry keeps the act live in these pockets to maintain military operations in border and security zones.
Critics remain vocal. Groups like the Manipuri Students Federation, the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation, and Meira Paibi women's collectives continue to stage rallies against the act. These organizations label the measure a black law, citing long-standing grievances over the immunity and broad powers granted to security forces.
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