Kohima: The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, for another six months across parts of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. This order takes effect October 1. The law grants soldiers power to search, arrest, and shoot to ensure the "maintenance of public order" in designated disturbed areas.
Manipur faces this extension across its entire territory, though 13 police stations covering Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching remain exempt. The state has endured brutal ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar groups since May 3, 2023, resulting in more than 260 deaths. Following political instability and the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the state shifted leadership to Yumnam Khemchand Singh in February.
In Nagaland, the law remains active in nine districts: Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Meluri. It also covers 21 police stations across Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto. Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh sees the act continue in Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts, alongside the Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police station jurisdictions in Namsai district.
Local groups like the Manipuri Students Federation, Nupi Khunai-Yairipok, and Meira Paibis continue to push for the total repeal of the act. While the law persists in these regions, the government has removed it from Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram in recent decades. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that his state has also seen the act lifted from several regions since its 1990 introduction.
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