The Centre has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act for six more months in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued three separate notifications on September 25, after reviewing the security situation in the states.

The extension takes effect on October 1. AFSPA is a 1958 law that gives armed forces special powers, such as search and arrest, in areas declared "disturbed" — places where officials say troops are needed to keep order.

In Manipur, the law stays in force across the state except in areas under 13 police stations in five Imphal Valley districts. In Nagaland, it continues in nine districts and in 21 police-station areas across five more districts, according to the notifications.

In Arunachal Pradesh, the extension covers Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts, plus areas under three police stations in Namsai district. The move comes amid continued unrest in Manipur, where ethnic violence has claimed over 260 lives since May 2023, reports said.

The extension runs till March 31, 2027, unless the government withdraws it earlier.