BY PC Bureau
April 23, 2026 — The government of Manipur has granted expanded powers to police personnel under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, enabling a broader range of officers to carry out arrests, searches, and seizures across the state with immediate effect.
A Home Department notification issued on April 22 designates the Administrative Secretary (Home) as the “Designated Authority” under Section 43A of the Act. This provision allows authorised officials to take action in cases involving unlawful and anti-national activities.
The order significantly widens enforcement by permitting all police personnel not below the rank of Head Constable or Havildar, in both civil and armed wings, to exercise these powers on behalf of the Designated Authority.
Under the notification, officers can carry out arrests and searches if they have “reason to believe” that an offence has been committed or may be committed under the Act. This includes situations involving suspected possession of evidence or property linked to unlawful activities.
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The directive also authorises searches of buildings, vehicles, and other premises at any time, including at night, and allows for the seizure of documents or assets considered relevant to investigations.
Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening enforcement and improving operational response on the ground. The order will remain in force until further notice.
The notification has been circulated to key administrative and law enforcement authorities, including the Governor’s Secretariat, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and district-level officials.
The decision marks a significant escalation in the state’s enforcement framework under anti-terror provisions amid ongoing security concerns.
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║ WHAT CONSTITUTES A CRIME UNDER UAPA, 1967 ║
║ (Key Offences & Definitions) ║
╟────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
║ 1. Unlawful Activity (Section 2(o) & 13) ║
║ Any action (by words, spoken/written, signs, or visible representation) ║
║ that: ║
║ • Intends or supports cession or secession of any part of India ║
║ • Disclaims, questions, disrupts or intends to disrupt India's ║
║ sovereignty and territorial integrity ║
║ • Causes or intends to cause disaffection against India ║
║ Punishment: Up to 7 years imprisonment + fine ║
║ ║
║ 2. Terrorist Act (Section 15) ║
║ Any act done with intent to: ║
║ • Threaten or likely to threaten India's unity, integrity, security ║
║ (including economic security), or sovereignty ║
║ • Strike terror in people or any section of people (in India or abroad) ║
║ By using: explosives, firearms, lethal weapons, poisonous substances, ║
║ or any hazardous means that cause death, injury, property damage, ║
║ or disruption of essential services. ║
║ Punishment (Section 16): Death or life imprisonment (if death caused) ║
║ or 5 years to life imprisonment + fine ║
║ ║
║ 3. Other Major Offences ║
║ • Raising funds for terrorist act (Sec 17) ║
║ • Conspiracy, attempt, abetment or facilitation of terrorist act (Sec 18)║
║ • Organising terrorist camps or recruiting for terrorism (Sec 18A, 18B) ║
║ • Harbouring terrorists (Sec 19) ║
║ • Being a member of a terrorist gang/organisation (Sec 20) ║
║ • Offences relating to membership or support of terrorist organisation ║
║ (Sec 38 & 39) ║
║ • Assisting unlawful association or dealing with its funds (Sec 10, 11) ║
║ ║
║ Note: UAPA covers both "unlawful activities" and "terrorist activities". ║
║ Many offences are cognizable and carry stringent provisions. ║
║ The Act applies across India and to Indian citizens abroad. ║
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