MHA expands AFSPA coverage in state
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 01 2025: The Armed Forces' Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been extended in the entire state of Manipur, except for 13 police station areas, according to a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday.

The areas excluded from the purview of the controversial pro-military law include those falling under the jurisdiction of Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, and Wangoi police stations in Imphal West district; Porompat, Heingang, and Irilbung police stations under Imphal East district; Thoubal police station in Thoubal district; Bishnupur and Nambol police stations under Bishnupur district; and Kakching police station in Kakching district.

AFSPA has also been extended to Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and three police station areas in the state for 6 months, as well as in addition pockets in Nagaland state, the ministry added.

Manipur was put under the President's rule and the assembly under suspended animation on the evening of February 13, days after chief minister N Biren Singh resigned from his post, leading to political uncertainty in the state.

Biren Singh, who was heading the BJP-led government in Manipur since 2017, resigned as chief minister after nearly 21 months of ethnic violence that has claimed over 250 lives so far since May 2023 .

AFSPA has been in effect in Manipur since the early 1980s.It grants special powers to the forces to maintain public order in "disturbed areas" .

It has faced much scrutiny for granting sweeping powers to the forces.

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