AFSPA Extended in Northeast States
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: The AFSPA notification for specific districts in Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh was set to expire at the end of September 2025. NOW: The MHA extended the 'disturbed area' notification for another six months, effectively continuing the status quo from October 1, 2025.
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BEFORE: Over recent years, there was a steady policy trend of gradually withdrawing AFSPA from various Northeast districts as security improved. NOW: The extension in these specific pockets indicates that the government views the internal security situation in these areas as still too fragile to lift the act.
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BEFORE: Without AFSPA, armed forces operating in civilian areas are subject to standard criminal procedure codes. NOW: By maintaining the AFSPA status, security personnel operating in these specific districts retain extraordinary legal protections, including immunity from civilian prosecution without prior approval from the Central Government.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)? 1. The Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005) recommended the complete repeal of AFSPA. 2. Under Section 3 of the Act, an area can be declared 'disturbed' only by the Central Government, and not by the Governor of the State.