Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 Extended for Six Months in Parts of Three Northeastern States

Key facts

• The Ministry of Home Affairs on September 25, 2026 extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for another six months, effective from October 1, 2026.
• In Manipur, the entire State was declared a 'disturbed area' under Section 3 of AFSPA, 1958, excluding areas under 13 police stations in five valley districts, including Imphal, Lamphel, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching.
• In Nagaland, AFSPA was extended in nine districts — Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Meluri — and 21 police stations in five other districts of Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha and Zunheboto.
• In Arunachal Pradesh, Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and areas under Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district were declared 'disturbed areas' for six months.
• AFSPA, enacted in 1958, gives the Army and Central Armed Police Forces power in 'disturbed areas' to kill anyone acting in contravention of law, arrest and search premises without a warrant, and get protection from prosecution without Central government sanction.
• AFSPA has been applicable in Manipur since 1981, and Manipur, a former Union Territory, attained Statehood in 1972.
• Manipur has been affected by ethnic violence since May 3, 2023; President's Rule was imposed in the State on February 13, 2025 and revoked on February 4, 2026.