The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been extended for another six months in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, effective from October 1, 2025. The decision, made by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) after reviewing the law and order situation in these states, maintains the existing status quo regarding areas designated as 'disturbed'.

In Manipur, the AFSPA extension applies to the entire state, excluding the areas under the jurisdiction of 13 police stations in five valley districts. These police stations are Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, and Wangoi in Imphal West district; Porompat, Heingang, and Irilbung in Imphal East; Thoubal in Thoubal district; Bishnupur and Nambol in Bishnupur district; and Kakching in Kakching district. Manipur has experienced ethnic violence since May 2023.

In Nagaland, the AFSPA will remain in force in the districts of Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Meluri. Additionally, it applies to 21 police station areas in five other districts of the state.

The Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts of Arunachal Pradesh, along with areas falling under the Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations of Namsai district, will also continue to be designated as 'disturbed areas' under AFSPA. These police station areas border the state of Assam.

AFSPA grants armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest, and open fire if they deem it necessary. The government initially enacted AFSPA in 1958 to deal with insurgency in Northeast India.