New Delhi: In a significant move to address persistent law and order challenges in India’s Northeast, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced the extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in specific regions of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam. This decision, effective from October 1, 2025, underscores the government’s strategy to empower security forces in areas plagued by ethnic tensions, insurgent activities, and sporadic violence. As debates over human rights and regional autonomy intensify, this renewal highlights the delicate balance between national security and local governance.
Understanding AFSPA: Powers and Provisions for Disturbed Areas
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, enacted in 1958, is a cornerstone legislation designed to enable the deployment of armed forces in regions facing extraordinary disturbances. Under Section 3 of the Act, the Central Government, state governors, or Union Territory administrators can designate whole or partial areas as “disturbed” if conditions necessitate military assistance to civil authorities. This status grants sweeping authority to the Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) operating in these zones.
Key powers under AFSPA include the ability to prohibit assemblies of five or more individuals, arrest suspects without warrants based on reasonable suspicion, conduct warrantless searches and entries into premises, and dismantle potential threats such as arms storage sites, fortified positions vulnerable to attacks, or camps training armed groups. Additionally, the Act provides legal safeguards, shielding personnel from prosecution or lawsuits without prior Central Government approval. Its application is limited to seven Northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.
Critics argue that these provisions can lead to potential abuses, prompting calls for repeal from civil society and activists. However, proponents view it as essential for countering insurgency and maintaining stability in volatile border regions.
Manipur AFSPA Extension: Ethnic Strife Fuels Continued Enforcement
Manipur, a state grappling with deep-seated ethnic divisions since May 2023, sees the most comprehensive extension under the latest notifications. The MHA has declared the entire state—excluding territories under 13 specific police stations across five valley districts—as a disturbed area for six months starting October 1, 2025, or until revoked earlier. The exempted stations are Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, and Kakching, primarily in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts.
This decision follows a thorough assessment of the state’s security landscape, marked by clashes between the majority Meitei community and minority Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes, which have claimed over 260 lives. With 16 districts in total, Manipur’s turmoil escalated to the point where President’s Rule was imposed on February 13, 2025, shortly after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on February 9, ending the second BJP-led administration.
Historically, AFSPA has been a fixture in Manipur since 1981, following its elevation to statehood in 1972 from Union Territory status. Recent adjustments reflect fluctuating security dynamics: On November 14, 2024, the Act was reintroduced in six police stations across five districts amid rising violence. Prior to that, between April 1, 2022, and April 1, 2023, it was lifted from all valley police stations due to perceived improvements and public confidence. The Imphal Municipality area has been exempt since 2004, while hill districts have faced repeated extensions over three decades, with the previous one dated September 26, 2024.
Local groups like the Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF), Nupi Khunai-Yairipok, and Meira Paibis have spearheaded protests demanding complete withdrawal, emphasizing the Act’s impact on civilian life. Despite these voices, the MHA’s review concluded that sustained enforcement is vital, especially in hill areas where insurgent elements persist.
Nagaland AFSPA Renewal: Targeted Coverage in Districts and Police Jurisdictions
In Nagaland, the extension covers nine districts—Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Meluri—along with 21 police stations in five additional districts: Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto. This six-month renewal, effective October 1, 2025, follows a similar evaluation of local threats.
An alternative notification references eight districts (excluding Meluri), but the broader scope aligns with ongoing efforts to curb extortion, recruitment, and subversive actions by groups like NSCN(K-YA). Nagaland’s complex tribal dynamics and proximity to international borders make it a hotspot for such activities, justifying the Act’s persistence despite gradual reductions elsewhere in the Northeast.
Arunachal Pradesh Under AFSPA: Focus on Border Districts
Arunachal Pradesh’s extension targets Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts, plus regions under Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, adjacent to Assam. This six-month period from October 1, 2025, addresses cross-border insurgent movements and maintains vigilance in these strategic areas.
The state’s rugged terrain and shared boundaries with Myanmar and China amplify security risks, with AFSPA serving as a deterrent against potential infiltrations and local unrest.
Assam’s AFSPA Continuation: Progress Amid Lingering Threats
While not initially highlighted in the primary announcements, Assam also receives a six-month extension in three districts: Tinsukia, Charaideo, and Sivasagar, starting October 1, 2025. The state government recommended this to the MHA, citing isolated incidents involving the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) and NSCN(K-YA) movements focused on extortion and recruitment.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has noted substantial progress, with AFSPA once blanketing the entire state since its imposition on November 27-28, 1990, during ULFA’s heyday. Phased withdrawals began, including from the whole state except nine districts and a Cachar sub-division on April 1, 2022, followed by further reductions from six districts. Sustained counterinsurgency operations have curbed violence, but reviews every six months ensure adaptability.
Broader regional trends show AFSPA’s retreat: Lifted from Tripura in 2015, Meghalaya in 2018, and Mizoram in the 1980s, reflecting improved stability.
Broader Implications and Calls for Reform
The extensions, announced on September 26, 2025, by the MHA, come amid national discussions on AFSPA’s role. Proponents credit it with enabling decisive actions against threats, while opponents, including rights groups and political entities, decry alleged human rights violations under its immunity clauses.
In Manipur, the “invisible” status in national discourse—despite headlines like “Why Manipur remains invisible in India’s democratic consciousness” and references to Prime Minister Modi’s visits—fuels resentment. Assam’s narrative of “significant improvement” contrasts with persistent demands for full repeal across the Northeast.
Civil society urges a shift toward dialogue and development, arguing that prolonged militarization hinders peace. Yet, with ethnic violence, insurgent remnants, and border vulnerabilities, the government maintains AFSPA as a necessary tool.
Looking Ahead: Security vs. Rights in Northeast India
As October 1, 2025, approaches, these extensions signal the Centre’s commitment to stability. However, they also spotlight the need for holistic solutions, including economic upliftment, inter-community reconciliation, and potential AFSPA amendments. For residents in these states, the Act’s renewal means continued military presence, but also hopes for eventual normalization.
This development, captured in notifications from outlets like The Hindu and IANS, underscores the evolving security paradigm. With trending topics like ethnic violence and governance shifts, stakeholders watch closely for future reviews.
In conclusion, the 2025 AFSPA extensions in Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam encapsulate a region at crossroads—balancing immediate threats with long-term aspirations for peace and autonomy. As India progresses, addressing these challenges will define the Northeast’s integration into the national fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and why was it extended in 2025?
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, enacted in 1958, grants special powers to the Army and Central Armed Police Forces in “disturbed areas” to maintain public order. These powers include arresting without warrants, searching premises, and using force if necessary, with legal immunity unless approved by the Central Government. In 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs extended AFSPA for six months from October 1 in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam due to ongoing security concerns, including ethnic violence in Manipur, insurgent activities in Nagaland and Assam, and border vulnerabilities in Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Which areas are excluded from AFSPA in Manipur under the 2025 extension?
In Manipur, the entire state is declared a “disturbed area” under AFSPA, except for the jurisdictions of 13 police stations in five valley districts: Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, and Kakching. These areas, primarily in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts, are exempt due to relatively stable conditions.
3. Which districts and police stations in Nagaland are under AFSPA as of October 1, 2025?
The AFSPA extension in Nagaland covers nine districts: Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Meluri. Additionally, 21 police stations in five other districts—Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto—are included as “disturbed areas” to address threats like extortion and recruitment by groups such as NSCN(K-YA).
4. Why does Arunachal Pradesh continue to have AFSPA in specific areas?
In Arunachal Pradesh, AFSPA was extended in Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts, as well as areas under Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, bordering Assam. The extension, effective from October 1, 2025, aims to counter potential insurgent movements and maintain security in these strategically sensitive border regions near Myanmar and China.
5. What is the status of AFSPA in Assam, and why was it extended in certain districts?
In Assam, AFSPA was extended for six months from October 1, 2025, in Tinsukia, Charaideo, and Sivasagar districts. The decision followed the state government’s recommendation, citing sporadic incidents by ULFA(I) cadres and NSCN(K-YA) activities involving extortion and recruitment. While Assam has seen significant security improvements, these districts require continued vigilance to prevent subversive activities.
