NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday issued three separate orders extending the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) across Manipur, except for 13 police station areas, for another six months due to the prevailing law and order situation.The act has also been extended in eight districts of Nagaland, 21 police station areas in five other districts, and in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, including parts of Namsai district.The AFSPA gives sweeping powers to the armed forces operating in disturbed areas and also immunity from prosecution unless approved by the Centre, as under the law a particular state or some areas are declared “disturbed”.In the notification, a copy of which is with TNIE, the MHA said, “Whereas the central government after review of the law and order situation in the state of Manipur, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) declares the entire state of Manipur, excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the following 13 (thirteen) police stations of 5 districts, as ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 01.04.2025, unless withdrawn earlier.”These excluded areas include six police station areas – Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi and Wangoi – of Imphal West, three – Porompat, Heingang and Irilbung – of Imphal East, two – Bishnupur and Nambol – of Bishnupur and one each of Thoubal and Kakching.The disturbed area declaration was in force in the entire Manipur (except the Imphal municipality area) from 2004 till early 2022.
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