AFSPA: govt extends AFSPA in parts of Nagaland, Arunachal for six months

AFSPA: The home ministry said a further review of the law and order situation in Nagaland has been undertaken.

Modi govt extends AFSPA in parts of Nagaland, Arunachal for six months
The AFSPA gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and to open fire if they deem it necessary for the “maintenance of public order”. Credit: PTI Photo

New Delhi: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, under which an area is declared as “disturbed” for the convenience of security forces, has been extended in eight districts in Nagaland, three districts in Arunachal Pradesh and some other areas for six more months after a review of the law and order situation in the two northeastern states.

An area or district is notified as a disturbed area under the AFSPA to facilitate the operations of the armed forces. The AFSPA gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and to open fire if they deem it necessary for the “maintenance of public order”.
In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said the central government in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) had declared eight districts, and 21 police stations in five other districts of Nagaland as ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from April 1, 2024.

The home ministry said a further review of the law and order situation in Nagaland has been undertaken. The districts and police stations areas have been declared as ‘disturbed area’ again under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2024, unless withdrawn earlier, the notification issued on Wednesday night said.

Credit: deccanherald.com