AFSPA, 1958
Provisions, Disturbed Area Declaration, and Controversy
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) grants special operational powers to armed forces personnel in areas declared as "Disturbed Areas" by the Central or State Government. Originally enacted as the Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers Act, 1958, it was extended to other states over time. Under Section 4 of AFSPA, security personnel may use force (including lethal force) without a warrant, arrest individuals without a warrant, and enter and search premises — with legal immunity from prosecution without Central Government sanction.
- AFSPA enacted: 1958; originally applicable to Assam and Manipur following the Naga insurgency
- 1972 amendment: Central Government gained power to declare any region a Disturbed Area without state consent (earlier only Governors/UT Administrators could do so)
- Section 3: Empowers Governor/Administrator or Central Government to declare Disturbed Area
- Section 4: Core operational powers — fire upon/use force; arrest without warrant; search premises without warrant
- Section 6: Personnel acting under AFSPA cannot be prosecuted without Central Government sanction
- Current Manipur status: AFSPA in force across Manipur except Imphal Municipal Council area; November 2024 — reimposed in six valley police station areas including Moirang (Bishnupur district)
● Tracked since April 07, 2026 · last seen September 25, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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