Why in news?
On 27 September 2025 the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act for six months in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Thirteen police station areas in Manipur remained outside the Act’s purview, reflecting a targeted approach to maintaining security.
Origins and evolution
AFSPA was enacted in 1958 to counter the Naga insurgency. It empowers the central government to declare an area “disturbed” and deploy armed forces with special powers. Similar provisions were later applied in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. While parts of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland have seen the Act withdrawn as peace improved, it remains in force in areas with active insurgent groups.
Key provisions
- Declaration of disturbed area: The governor of a state or the central government may designate an area as disturbed, enabling the use of armed forces for law and order.
- Extraordinary powers: Officers can use force, including lethal force, against persons violating laws or carrying weapons. They can arrest without warrant and search premises without warrant.
- Destruction of hide‑outs: Forces may destroy arms dumps, caches or fortified positions used by insurgents.
- Legal protection: Personnel are granted immunity for actions taken under the Act; prosecution requires prior approval from the central government.
- Custody rules: Arrested persons must be handed over to the nearest police station within 24 hours.
Arguments for and against
- Supporters’ view: The Act is seen as necessary to empower security forces in remote, insurgency‑hit areas where civilian authorities are weak.
- Critics’ view: Human rights groups point to allegations of misuse, extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions. They demand judicial oversight, transparency and a sunset clause.
- Recent developments: In April 2022 the government scaled back AFSPA in parts of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. The September 2025 extension covers only specific districts and police station areas, indicating a calibrated withdrawal.
The way ahead
- Invest in strengthening local police, civil administration and development programmes to address underlying grievances.
- Establish independent grievance redress mechanisms to investigate allegations of abuse and build trust with local communities.
- Review the Act periodically in Parliament, considering time‑bound application, judicial oversight and conditions for withdrawal.