AFSPA 'disturbed area' status extended for six months in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
The Ministry of Home Affairs on 30 March 2025 extended the 'disturbed area' declarations under AFSPA in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for six months from 1 April 2025.
Summary
The Ministry of Home Affairs on 30 March 2025 issued notifications under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, extending 'disturbed area' declarations in three north-eastern states for six months from 1 April 2025, unless withdrawn earlier. In Manipur (S.O. 1538(E)), the whole state is covered except areas under 13 police stations in five valley districts: Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching. In Nagaland (S.O. 1536(E)), eight districts and 21 police stations in five other districts are covered; a later notification added the new Meluri district. In Arunachal Pradesh, Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and the Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district are covered. The Indian Express said the MHA kept the extent of disturbed areas unchanged.
Key facts
- Date
- 30 March 2025 (effective 1 April 2025, six months)
- Law
- Section 3, AFSPA 1958 (Act 28 of 1958)
- Manipur
- Whole state except 13 police stations in 5 valley districts (S.O. 1538(E))
- Nagaland
- 8 districts + 21 police stations in 5 other districts (S.O. 1536(E)); Meluri added later
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Tirap, Changlang, Longding + Namsai, Mahadevpur, Chowkham police stations
- Change
- Extent unchanged from the previous declaration
Practice MCQs 4 questions
For how long did the MHA extend the AFSPA 'disturbed area' declarations in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh on 30 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Six months
The notifications declared the areas 'disturbed' for six months from 1 April 2025, unless withdrawn earlier.
Under the MHA notification of 30 March 2025, AFSPA covers the whole of Manipur except areas under how many police stations?
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Correct answer: B — 13
The whole state is a disturbed area except the areas of 13 police stations in five valley districts.
Which of the following districts of Arunachal Pradesh is covered by the AFSPA extension of 30 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Changlang
Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts, plus three police stations in Namsai district, are covered.
Consider the following statements about the AFSPA notifications of 30 March 2025: 1. The areas were declared 'disturbed' by the Central Government in exercise of powers under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. 2. In Nagaland, the declaration covers the entire state without exception. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The MHA notifications cite Section 3 of AFSPA, 1958. In Nagaland only eight districts and 21 police stations in five other districts are covered, not the entire state.