The Centre has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, in Manipur for another six months amid continuing violence and a fresh attack that killed four civilians near the Myanmar border. The extension will take effect from October 1, 2026, and will cover the entire state except areas under 13 specified police stations.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has retained the “disturbed area” classification under Section 3 of the AFSPA. The excluded police-station areas are located across five districts, including Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching. The government has been extending the notification periodically as the security situation remains unsettled.
The latest decision came as four Tangkhul Naga civilians were killed in an armed attack at Pilong village in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Thursday. Police and local reports said the remote settlement lies close to the India-Myanmar border. A fifth person reportedly escaped and alerted authorities.
Reports have attributed the attack to suspected Myanmar-based Kuki National Army-Burma cadres, although allegations regarding the perpetrators have not been independently verified. The killings have triggered condemnation from Naga organisations and a shutdown call in the affected areas.
Manipur has remained affected by ethnic violence since 2023, with clashes involving Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities causing deaths, displacement and prolonged security challenges. More recent tensions have also involved violence between Naga and Kuki groups.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the latest killings and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. The fresh violence has added to concerns over security in the state as the Centre prepares to continue AFSPA across most of Manipur.
