India extends AFSPA 'disturbed area' tag across Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for six months

India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the “disturbed area” declaration under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, across specified areas of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months from 1 October, unless withdrawn earlier.

The Centre issued separate Gazette notifications on Friday, saying the decisions followed a “further review of the law and order situation” in the three states. The orders were made under Section 3 of the Act, which lets the central government declare an area “disturbed” where it considers armed forces necessary to aid civil authorities.

In Manipur, the declaration covers the entire state except areas under 13 police stations in five districts: Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching.

In Nagaland, AFSPA continues across nine districts — Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Meluri — plus areas under 21 police stations across Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha and Zunheboto districts.

In Arunachal Pradesh, the extension covers Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts, and areas under Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district bordering Assam.

The notifications continue the Centre’s periodic use of the law in parts of the Northeast. AFSPA grants armed forces personnel special powers in declared areas, including the power to make arrests without warrants and use force under specified circumstances.

Sources

• New Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Sep/25/mha-extends-afspa-in-parts-of-manipur-nagaland-arunachal-pradesh-for-another-six-months
• NDTV: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-extends-afspa-in-parts-of-manipur-nagaland-arunachal-pradesh-for-6-months-12097967/amp/1
• The Federal (citing PTI): https://thefederal.com/category/news/centre-extends-afspa-parts-manipur-nagaland-arunachal-pradesh-6-months-257691