The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been extended to the entire state of Manipur, except for 13 designated police station areas, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Sunday.
Additionally, the law has been extended for six months in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts, as well as three police station areas in the state, according to the ministry’s statement.
The extension comes at a time of political instability in Manipur. The state was placed under President’s rule on 13 February, with the assembly put under suspended animation following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
The BJP leader stepped down after nearly 21 months of ethnic violence that has resulted in over 250 fatalities since May 2023.
AFSPA, which has been in force in Manipur since the early 1980s, grants sweeping powers to security forces to maintain law and order in "disturbed areas." However, the law has been widely criticised for enabling excessive force and human rights violations.
Amid the renewed implementation of AFSPA, security forces carried out search operations across vulnerable regions in Manipur, particularly in the hill and valley districts, on Saturday.
According to reports, multiple arms and ammunition were recovered during the operation. Authorities seized a country-made rifle, a bolt-action rifle, a .22 pistol, three country-made mortars of varying sizes, a locally made hand grenade, a helmet, and communication equipment.
They also recovered live rounds, empty cartridges, and approximately 500 grams of gunpowder from Thangjing Hill Forest in Churachandpur district.
The security operations are part of broader efforts to stabilise the state amid ongoing ethnic tensions and violence. The extension of AFSPA signals continued concern over security in Manipur, even as calls for its repeal persist.
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