Extension of Armed Forces Special powers Act (AFSPA)

Extension of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) allows the military to do what in disturbed areas?

Use force

For how long has the Central Government extended the ‘disturbed area’ status under AFSPA in most parts of Manipur?

6 months

Until which date has the AFSPA extension in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh been applied?

30th September 2025

How many police stations across Manipur were exempted from AFSPA coverage?

13

Across how many districts are the 13 exempted police stations in Manipur located?

Five

In which year was the Armed Forces Special Powers Act enacted?

1958

Which colonial-era ordinance inspired the drafting of AFSPA?

1942 Armed Forces Special Powers Ordinance

Which post-independence act inspired AFSPA?

Assam Disturbed Areas Act

Under which section of AFSPA are ‘disturbed areas’ declared?

Section 3

Who has the power to declare an area as disturbed under AFSPA?

Central Government

What is the initial duration of a ‘disturbed area’ declaration under AFSPA?

3 months

Which Supreme Court case upheld the constitutional validity of AFSPA?

Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights v. Union of India (1998)

According to the Supreme Court

how often must the disturbed area status under AFSPA be reviewed?

Which sections of AFSPA were upheld by the Supreme Court as legal and not excessive?

Sections 4 and 5

Which committee in 2005 recommended repealing AFSPA?

Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee

Does AFSPA provide legal immunity to armed forces personnel?

Yes

What kind of immunity does AFSPA provide to armed forces personnel for actions taken in disturbed areas?

Legal immunity from prosecution without central approval

Which region of India was the primary focus of AFSPA’s enactment in 1958?

Northeastern India

Can a State Governor independently declare an area as disturbed under AFSPA?

Yes

Which northeastern state continues to be largely under AFSPA coverage as of 2025?

Manipur

What does Section 4 of AFSPA primarily deal with?

Use of force and arrest without warrant

What does Section 5 of AFSPA deal with?

Handling of arrested persons and legal procedures

What is required before prosecuting security personnel under AFSPA?

Prior sanction from the Central Government

Which article of the Constitution was challenged in the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights case?

Article 21 (Right to life)

Is the AFSPA currently applicable in all districts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh?

No

Which high-profile court case reinforced periodic review of AFSPA-imposed areas?

Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights v. Union of India

Who can declare an area as “disturbed” under AFSPA?

President or governor or union govt

Which Indian state was first affected by AFSPA in 1958?

Assam

Under AFSPA what is required for prosecution of armed forces personnel for actions under the act?

Sanction of the Central Government

Which historical ordinance inspired the current AFSPA legislation?

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Ordinance