AFSPA Extended In Northeast
Centre Extends AFSPA For Six Months In Three Northeastern States Amid Security Review
Anonymous
Key Points
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Manipur was first designated a “disturbed area” under AFSPA in April 2023, when violence erupted, and its status has been extended repeatedly since then.
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The Nagaland areas covered by the latest order had already been declared disturbed for six months from April 1, 2026, under an earlier notification issued on March 23.
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Section 3 of AFSPA empowers the Central government to declare specified areas “disturbed,” providing the legal basis cited in the notifications.
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Amit Shah said more than 80 per cent of the Northeast had already been freed from AFSPA and expressed confidence it could be removed across the region next year except in one or two states.
India's government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for six more months starting October 1, 2026, across large parts of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Sangai Express reports the move follows a review of security conditions in the three northeastern states, where violence and unrest continue to plague the region.
Home Minister Amit Shah said the government aims to remove AFSPA from most of the Northeast next year. He noted that over 80 percent of the region has already been freed from the act. Times of India reports the extension will last until March 31, 2027, though it can be withdrawn earlier if conditions improve.
Manipur Bears Heaviest AFSPA Burden
In Manipur, AFSPA now covers nearly the entire state except 13 police stations across five districts. Deccan Chronicle reports the disturbed-area designation came after violence erupted in April 2023. Since then, the government has repeatedly extended the act as clashes between ethnic groups continue to rage.
The ongoing conflict has made Manipur the Northeast's most heavily restricted state under AFSPA. Schools remain closed in many areas, and armed soldiers control streets and checkpoints throughout the valley region.
Nagaland and Arunachal Coverage Expands
In Nagaland, the extension covers nine full districts plus specified areas in five additional districts. The Statesman reports this follows an earlier notification issued on March 23 that had designated these areas disturbed for six months from April 1, 2026. The repeated extensions signal no rapid improvement in law-and-order conditions.
Arunachal Pradesh sees AFSPA applied to Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts entirely, plus three police-station areas in Namsai district. These border regions have faced insurgent activity and cross-border tensions for years.
Shah's Plan to End AFSPA Across Northeast
Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence the government can remove AFSPA across the Northeast by next year, except possibly in one or two states. He emphasized that over 80 percent of the region has already been freed from the special powers act.
The extension order includes a clause allowing earlier withdrawal if law-and-order improves significantly. However, repeated six-month extensions since 2023 suggest security challenges remain deep and complex in these states.
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