Centre Extends Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Northeast

Itanagar: The federal government extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. This order lasts six months starting October 1. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the Gazette notifications on September 25 following a review of the regional law and order situation.

Manipur remains a disturbed area. The order covers the entire state except for 13 specific police station jurisdictions. Exclusions include Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, and Wangoi in Imphal West. Porompat, Heingang, and Irilbung in Imphal East are also exempt. Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, and Kakching stations round out the list. Security remains fragile in the state, where ethnic violence has persisted since May 2023.

Nagaland faces a broad extension. Nine districts remain under the act, including Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Meluri. The mandate also applies to 21 police station areas spread across Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto.

Arunachal Pradesh sees continued enforcement in Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts. The order also covers zones under Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district near the Assam border. The notifications officially noted a "further review of the law and order situation" for the decision. Section 3 of the act grants the government power to label areas disturbed whenever it deems the military necessary to maintain public order.