The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in nine districts of Nagaland and specified areas under 21 police stations in five other districts, declaring them as “disturbed areas” for another six months with effect from October 1, 2026.

The nine districts where AFSPA has been extended are Dimapur, Niuland, Chümoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Meluri.

In addition, areas falling under 21 police stations in Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha and Zunheboto districts will also remain under the Act.

In Kohima district, the specified areas comprise those falling within the jurisdiction of Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police stations.

In Mokokchung district, the areas under Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki ‘C’ police stations have been covered.

Yanglok police station in Longleng district; Bhandari, Champang and Ralan police stations in Wokha district; and Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto district are also covered by the notification.

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The MHA issued the notification after assessing the security situation in the state, including inputs from the concerned security wing, an Intelligence Bureau report and a review of the law-and-order situation.

Under Section 3 of the AFSPA, the Central Government can declare an area as a “disturbed area” where it considers the use of armed forces in aid of civil power to be necessary.

The latest declaration will remain in force for six months from October 1, 2026, unless withdrawn earlier.

The AFSPA grants special powers to the armed forces deployed in areas declared “disturbed”, including powers to conduct operations and arrest persons without a warrant, subject to the provisions of the Act. It also provides legal protection for certain actions taken in the discharge of official duties and in good faith.