Govt extends AFSPA to entire Manipur excluding 13 police stations

New Delhi: The central government on Sunday extended Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to entire state of Manipur, except 13 police stations of five districts, for six months with effect from April one.

Moreover, the government also extended AFSPA to eight districts of Nagaland and three districts of Arunachal Pradesh for six more months with effect from April one.

A Gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) dated March 30, said, "After review of the law and order situation in Manipur, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, declares the entire state of Manipur, excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the 13 police stations of the five districts, as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from April one, unless withdrawn earlier."

The eight districts of Nagaland, where AFSPA has been extended are Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren.

Meanwhile, the three districts of Arunachal Pradesh where AFSPA has been extended are Tirap, Changlang and Longding.

Moreover, the MHA also declared the areas falling within the jurisdictions of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of Arunacha Pradesh bordering Assam as 'disturbed area'.