Army bats for more areas in state under AFSPA
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 21 2025: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held a review meeting on Wednesday to assess the scope of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the north eastern states during which the Indian Army reportedly proposed bringing more areas in the valley districts under the ambit of the controversial Act.

After decades, AFSPA was repealed from seven assembly segments falling under Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) in 2004 by the then Congress government.

Later, the BJP government led by CM Biren expanded the area outside the purview of the Act from the jurisdiction of 19 police stations.

However, the Act was re-imposed in the jurisdiction of six police stations in five valley districts on November 14, last year amid the Kuki-Meetei conflict that broke out on May 3, 2023 .

During Wednesday's meeting, the Army suggested that areas covered by 12 more police station in the valley districts be brought under AFSPA to enhance operational efficiency.

The proposal emphasised AFSPA re-imposition in phases, although the final decision rests with the Ministry of Home Affairs, a report published by The Hindu quoted a senior government official.

President's Rule was imposed in the state on February 13, 2025, after N Biren resigned as chief minister following months of unrest and political uncertainty.

Prior to this, the possibility of bringing additional areas under AFSPA had been discussed at a review meeting chaired by union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on March 1 .

AFSPA was withdrawn from areas under 19 police stations on two occasions - April 1, 2022, and April 1, 2023, after the state government cited improved security situation and growing sense of safety among the general public.

However, the "disturbed area" notification for the remaining areas of the state has been periodically extended, with the latest notification issued on September 26, 2024 .

Apart from Manipur, the review meeting also examined the scope of AFSPA in Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The six-monthly disturbed area notification for these four states is set to expire on March 31, and the Ministry and the respective state governments will decide whether to extend or withdraw the notification after evaluating the security situation.

The Hindu report further cited the official stating that one of the four districts in Assam may be de-notified from the AFSPA's purview.

While the central and state governments are both empowered to issue AFSPA notifications, the Ministry of Home Affairs currently issues disturbed area notifications only for Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Notifications for Manipur and Assam are issued by the respective state governments.

Enacted in 1958, AFSPA grants extensive powers to the Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in disturbed areas, allowing them to kill anyone on suspicion of acting against the law, arrest individuals, and search premises without a warrant.

The Act also provides immunity to central security personnel from prosecution without the sanction of the Central government.

AFSPA was first enforced in Manipur in 1981, nearly a decade after attaining statehood in 1972 .

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