Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 30: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another six months in select regions of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, effective from April 1, officials confirmed on Sunday.
AFSPA grants sweeping powers to the armed forces in areas deemed ‘disturbed’ to maintain public order. The latest extension covers the entire state of Manipur, excluding the jurisdiction of 13 police stations across five districts – Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching. Manipur, comprising 16 districts, has been grappling with ethnic violence between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal communities since May 3, 2023.
According to an official MHA notification, the decision to extend AFSPA was taken after a comprehensive review of the law and order situation in Manipur. Similarly, in Nagaland, AFSPA has been extended in eight districts – Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren – as well as in 21 police stations across five other districts – Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the act will remain in force in the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, along with areas under the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, which borders Assam. The decision was made following a security review of these regions.
Manipur has been under President’s rule since February 13, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9. His resignation came amid prolonged ethnic tensions that have persisted for over 23 months.
The extension of AFSPA has been met with opposition from various civil society groups in Manipur, including the Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF), the Nupi Khunai (Yairipok), and the Meira Paibis, who continue to demand its complete withdrawal from the state. The Manipur government had previously extended AFSPA in October 2023, exempting only 19 police stations across seven districts in the Imphal Valley.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday that the MHA has lifted AFSPA from Dibrugarh district. However, the Act remains in force in Tinsukia, Sibsagar, and Charaideo districts. He highlighted the Centre’s ongoing efforts to gradually reduce AFSPA’s footprint in the state.
“At one time, the entire state of Assam was under AFSPA. The Centre has progressively reduced its coverage. Today, the Union Home Ministry decided to remove the ‘disturbed area’ designation from Dibrugarh, leaving only three districts under AFSPA. Our aim is to further reduce this in the coming days,” Sarma stated.
AFSPA was initially imposed across Assam in 1990 to counter insurgencies led by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Since then, the Act has been periodically reviewed, with its coverage gradually reduced based on prevailing security conditions.