The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been extended to the entire state of Manipur, except for 13 police station areas, according to a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday, March 30.
AFSPA has been extended to Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and three police station areas in the state for 6 months, the ministry added.
Manipur was put under the President’s rule and the assembly under suspended animation on the evening of February 13, days after CM N Biren Singh resigned from his post, leading to political uncertainty in the state.
AFSPA has been in effect in Manipur since the early 1980s. It grants special powers to the forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. It has faced much scrutiny for granting sweeping powers to the forces.
