Manipur under AFSPA: Union Home Ministry extends special powers for 6 months

Manipur: The Union Home Ministry has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Manipur for six months to the entire state except areas falling under 13 police stations. The move was taken in view of the current law and order situation of the state. Manipur has been under President's Rule since February 13, following Chief Minister N Biren Singh's resignation after months of ethnic unrest. The state has seen nearly 21 months of unrest, claiming more than 250 lives since May 2023.

Provisions of AFSPA

AFSPA gives extensive powers to armed forces in disturbed areas, such as the power of search, arrest, and use of force, including lethal action, without previous sanction. The act has been widely criticized as draconian.

Exempted areas

The police station areas exempted from the application of AFSPA are Imphal, Lamphal, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, and Kakching.

Extension of AFSPA in other states

Except in Manipur, the AFSPA has been renewed for another six months in Nagaland's eight districts and 21 police station areas in the other five districts of the state. Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts, in addition to three police station areas in Namsai district, had also been brought under the law from April 1.