The government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which allows certain areas to be declared “disturbed” to facilitate security forces, to eight states in Nagaland, three states in Arunachal Pradesh, and elsewhere. another six months. This 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 to maintain public order.
The Union Home Ministry has issued a notification stating that 21 districts and police stations in five other districts of Nagaland will continue to be considered “disturbed areas” under AFSPA from October 1, 2024, unless earlier waived.
According to the notification issued on Wednesday, the districts of Nagaland where AFSPA is still in force include Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren.
Areas in Nagaland under police station Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha in Kohima district; Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki ‘C’ police stations in Mokokchung district; Yanglok police station in Longleng district is said to be ‘disrupted’.
In another notification, the Union Home Ministry has extended AFSPA to the districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, as well as areas within Namsai district on the border of Assam, with effect from 1 October 2024.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier said that AFSPA has been removed from 70 percent of the northeastern states, though it is still in force in Jammu and Kashmir.