Rapid Fire
AFSPA Extension in Northeast States
- 03 Apr 2025
- 2 min read
The Central government extended the 'disturbed area' status under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 across Manipur, excluding areas under 13 police stations in five districts, for another six months.
- The Centre also extended AFSPA in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh until 30th September 2025.
- AFSPA: It was passed by Parliament in September 1958 and implemented in response to escalating violence in the northeastern states, which the state governments were unable to control.
- It enables certain special powers to be conferred upon members of the armed forces in “disturbed areas.”
- Both the state and Union governments can issue notifications declaring certain areas as “disturbed”, granting the armed forces the authority under AFSPA.
- In disturbed areas, armed forces personnel are empowered to use force (even lethal), arrest without warrant, and conduct searches without warrant to maintain public order and tackle threats.
- Under AFSPA, armed forces personnel are protected from legal proceedings for actions taken under the Act, unless prior sanction is obtained from the Central Government.
| Read More: Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), Violence in Manipur, Naga Insurgency |
