Centre Extends ‘Disturbed Area’ Status Under AFSPA In Manipur For 6 Months Amid Renewed Violence

Last Updated:September 25, 2026, 6:40 PM IST

The latest flare-up of violence in Manipur took place after suspected militants reportedly killed four people near the Myanmar border.

Manipur is grappling with renewed violence as police struggle to rein in militancy. | File image credit: PTI

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday extended the “disturbed area” status under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in the entire state of Manipur, excluding areas under 13 specified police stations, amid renewed violence in the state.

The declaration will remain in effect for six months from October 1, 2026, unless withdrawn earlier. Notably, the Centre had designated Manipur as a “disturbed area” under AFSPA in 2023, which has been extended repeatedly.

Under Section 3 of the AFSPA, 1958, the Governor, Administrator or Central Government can declare any part or the whole of a state or Union Territory a ‘disturbed area’ if it is considered to be in a “disturbed or dangerous condition” requiring the use of armed forces in aid of civil power. The declaration is made through a notification published in the Official Gazette.

Why Has AFSPA Been Extended In Manipur?

The decision came as violence flared up in the strife-torn state, with four people allegedly shot dead by suspected militants in the Kamjong district on Friday. Their bodies, bearing bullet marks, were found at an isolated spot near the Myanmar border in remote Pilong village.

Locals alleged militants from neighbouring Myanmar crossed into India and ambushed a group of five villagers on Thursday. One of them managed to escape and alert local authorities.

Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh has condemned the killing, saying that “such acts of violence have no place in our society and will not be tolerated”. He also conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families.

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Why did the Centre extend the AFSPA disturbed area status in Manipur?

The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the disturbed area status under AFSPA across the state of Manipur amid renewed violence.

How long will the AFSPA extension remain in effect in Manipur?

The declaration will remain in effect for a period of six months starting from October 1, 2026, unless it is withdrawn earlier.

When was Manipur initially designated as a disturbed area under AFSPA?

The Centre initially designated Manipur as a disturbed area under AFSPA in 2023, and the status has since been extended repeatedly.

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Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int…Read More

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