New Delhi, Sept 26: The Centre has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Manipur for another six months from October 1, keeping most of the state under the “disturbed area” declaration, while excluding areas under 13 police stations in five districts. The extension was notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 25 following a review of the law and order situation.

The notification will remain in force until March 31, 2027, unless withdrawn earlier. The areas excluded from the AFSPA ambit are under City, Imphal, Lamphel, Singjamei, Patsoi and Wangoi police stations in Imphal West; Heingang, Irilbung and Porompat in Imphal East; Thoubal police station in Thoubal; Bishnupur and Nambol in Bishnupur district; and Kakching police station in Kakching district.

AFSPA empowers armed forces personnel in areas declared “disturbed” to carry out operations, including searches and arrests, under specified provisions of the law. The law has been in force in Manipur since the early 1980s, though its geographical ambit has been progressively reduced over the years.

In 2004, AFSPA was withdrawn from the Imphal Municipality area, covering seven Assembly constituencies. In April 2022, the Centre revoked the law from areas under 15 police stations across six districts, while four more police station areas were excluded from the “disturbed area” notification with effect from April 1, 2023.

The latest extension comes amid continuing security concerns and fresh incidents of violence in parts of the state. On Thursday, four civilians were killed in an attack at Pilong village in Kamjong district, near the India-Myanmar border.

According to officials, unidentified armed persons suspected to be members of a Myanmar-based rebel group entered the village and opened fire on residents. Police and security forces subsequently recovered the bodies.

Two days earlier, a 36-year-old civilian electricity lineman was killed amid heavy firing in and around Lasan and Songpibung villages along the IT Road corridor. Reports also said several Naga villages along the Noney-Kangpokpi-Senapati belt came under attack, with residents fleeing some areas.

The latest violence has added to security concerns in the state, where armed clashes, attacks and tensions between communities have continued in several hill districts.