India extends AFSPA for six months across three Northeast states

NEW DELHI — The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the extension of AFSPA in specified regions across three northeastern states, effective from October 1, officials confirmed. The move comes after a comprehensive assessment of the security and public order conditions in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which grants military and paramilitary forces enhanced powers of search, seizure, and arrest in designated conflict zones, remains a contentious legislation in the region. The extension for a six-month period reflects the government's determination to maintain security operations in areas where insurgent activities and communal tensions continue to pose challenges.

The decision follows established protocols wherein the government periodically reviews the necessity of AFSPA in affected regions. State administrations, along with central security agencies, provide assessments that inform whether extensions are warranted or whether restrictions can be relaxed.

Civil society groups and human rights organizations in the Northeast have long sought the withdrawal of AFSPA, citing concerns over alleged excesses by security forces. However, state governments and security establishments have consistently argued that the act remains essential for maintaining order in areas experiencing insurgent activities and communal unrest.