The government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which allows certain areas to be declared as “disturbed” for the convenience of security forces, in eight districts of Nagaland, three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and some other areas for another six months. The decision came after a review of the law and order situation in these northeastern states.
AFSPA gives the armed forces operating in disturbed areas broad powers to search, arrest, and open fire if necessary for maintaining public order.
The Union Home Ministry issued a notification stating that districts and 21 police stations in five other districts of Nagaland will continue to be classified as “disturbed areas” under the AFSPA from October 1, 2024, unless withdrawn earlier.
According to the notification issued on Wednesday, the districts in Nagaland where AFSPA remains in effect include Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren.
The areas in Nagaland falling within the jurisdiction of Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police stations in Kohima District; Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki ‘C’ police stations in Mokokchung District; Yanglok police station in Longleng District are also declared ‘disturbed’.
In a separate notification, the Union Home Ministry extended AFSPA in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts, as well as in areas within the Namsai district that border Assam, starting from October 1, 2024.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier mentioned that AFSPA had been removed from 70 per cent of Northeastern states, although it remains in force in Jammu and Kashmir.
