The police station areas where the AFSPA will not be in force are: Imphal, Lamphal, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupu, Nambol and Kakching.
AFSPA extended in Nagaland, Arunachal
The AFSPA, which is imposed in areas declared “disturbed”, has also been extended to eight districts in Nagaland and 21 police station areas in five other districts of the state for six months, according to a notification issued by the Union home ministry.
The law was also extended to Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and three police station areas in Namsai district in the state for six months beginning April 1.
The AFSPA, often criticised as a draconian law, gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary.
AFSPA in Manipur:
“Whereas the central government after review of the law and order situation in the state of Manipur, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) declares the entire state of Manipur, excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the following 13 (thirteen) police stations of 5 districts, as ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 01.04.2025, unless withdrawn earlier,” the notification related to Manipur read.Over 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts. Previously, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the Union Home Ministry has removed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the Dibrugarh district of the state.
However, the act is still applicable in three districts of the state. “The Union Home Ministry has removed the AFSPA from Dibrugarh district and the act is now applicable only in three districts, Tinsukia, Sivasagar and Charaideo,” the Assam Chief Minister said in a press conference held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati.
