MHA’s AFSPA review in Northeastern region, the army hopes to follow the ACT in Manipur

Police officers in Manipur. Representative Images | Image Source: ANI

At a review meeting chaired by the Union Department of the Interior (20 March 2025), the military sought to attach additional police station restrictions in the Manipur Valley within the scope of the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA). Hindu.

On November 14, 2024, AFSPA re-imposed in the jurisdiction of six police stations in five districts of Manipur, mainly following the May 3, 2023 outbreak of state ethnic violence.

“The military proposed to bring 12 police station-wide police station restrictions under the AFSPA to achieve operational efficiency. The proposal is to reassign the AFSPA at the stage, but the ministry will take a final decision.”

The president’s rule was implemented in Manipur on February 13.

The possibility of bringing other areas under AFSPA to AFSPA was considered during a review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 1.

Between April 1, 2022 and April 1, 2023, the Manipur government withdraws the AFSPA within the scope of all Valley Police Departments, due to improved security situations and “severe sense of security for the general public.” The provisions of the bill were withdrawn from the Imphal Municipal District in 2004. The “disturbance zone” notice in the Manipur Mountains has been regularly expanded and the final notice was issued on September 26, 2024.

The ministry reviewed the AFSPA scope in Assam, Nagaran, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur at a multi-organization meeting on Wednesday (19 March 2025).

Periodic six-month disturbance regional notices for the four states will end on March 31. The ministry government extended or withdraws the notice after reviewing the security situation.

“One of the four districts in Assam is likely to be advertised under AFSPA,” the official said.

AFSPA enables central and state governments to issue notifications. Currently, the ministry has issued only notifications of disturbing areas for Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, while notifications for Manipur and Assam are issued by the various state governments.

The 1958 law granted the military and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) deployed in the “interference zone” to kill anyone who violates the law, arrests and searches of any place, without a warrant, and grants protection for prosecutions and legal proceedings without the approval of the central government. The AFSPA came into effect in Manipur in 1981. Manipur is a former Union territory that was acquired by the state in 1972.