NEW DELHI: The Centre has decided to extend the enforcement of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, under which an area is declared as “disturbed” for the convenience of security forces, in eight districts in Nagaland, three districts in Arunachal Pradesh and some other areas of the two states for six more months after a review of the law and order situation.
An area or a district is notified as a disturbed area under the AFSPA to facilitate the operations of the armed forces, as it gives them sweeping powers to operate in the notified disturbed areas like search, arrest and to open fire if they deem it necessary for the “maintenance of public order”.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHAS) in a notification 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.”
It further said that following a further review of the law and order situation in Nagaland, it has been decided to extend the special power for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2024, unless withdrawn earlier.
The districts in Nagaland where the AFSPA was reimposed are 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 addition, Bhandari, Champang and Ralan police stations in Wokha District; and Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto District of Nagaland are also declared ‘disturbed’ under the AFSPA.
Meanwhile, in a separate notification, the MHA said under the AFSPA, the central government had declared Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of the state, bordering Assam as ‘disturbed area’ with effect from April 1, 2024.
After further review of the law and order situation in Arunachal Pradesh, it has been decided to extend the provisions in the notified districts and areas.
"Now, therefore, Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering the state of Assam, are declared as 'disturbed area' 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 said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier said the AFSPA has been removed in 70 per cent areas in the northeastern states, even though it is in force in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shah had also said that the central government would consider revoking AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir.
There have been demands from various organisations and individuals in Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern states to revoke the AFSPA.
(With inputs from PTI)
