AFSPA extended in 3 NE states; Kuki group chief held in Aizawl

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, for another six months in most parts of Manipur, several districts of Nagaland, and certain districts of Arunachal Pradesh, officials said on Friday.

NEW DELHI/ AIZAWL: The home ministry Friday extended the application of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagal-and for six months, until March 31, 2027.

Status quo has been retained in terms of police stations and districts declared "disturbed".Meanwhile, the commander-in-chief of the banned United Kuki National Army was arrested Thursday in Aizawl and will be sent to Manipur, a senior police officer said. Thangkhomang Haokip was held in a joint operation by Assam Rifles and Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau. "He is not in the custody of Mizoram police. The case is most likely to be taken over by NIA," the officer said.

A central agency official said NIA sleuths had also arrested two Kuki student leaders from Manipur at a hotel in Aizawl.Haokip is accused of involvement in several attacks, including a 2024 ambush on an advance security convoy of then Manipur CM N Biren Singh.(With inputs from HC Vanlalruata)