AFSPA extended in parts of Arunachal, Nagaland

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 such areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and to open fire if deemed necessary for “maintening order”.

The Home Ministry said the Centre, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958), had declared eight districts 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 had been undertaken. The districts in Nagaland where the AFSPA was re-imposed include Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon and Kiphire.