Centre Extends Armed Forces Special Powers Act For Six Months In Two Northeastern States— All About It

The central government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in eight districts of Nagaland, three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and several other areas for an additional six 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.

Under the AFSPA, the armed forces in designated disturbed areas are granted broad authority to conduct searches, make arrests, and use lethal force if necessary to maintain 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 1 April 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3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from 1 October 2024, unless withdrawn earlier, the notification issued on Wednesday night said.

In Nagaland, AFSPA has been reimposed in the districts of Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren.

Additionally, areas under the jurisdiction of various police stations in Nagaland, including Khuzama, Kohima North, and others in Kohima District, along with Mokokchung and Longleng districts, have also been declared as 'disturbed' areas.

Further, 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.

In another notification, the Ministry 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 Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Assam as 'disturbed area' with effect from 1 April 2024.

A further review of the law and order situation in Arunachal Pradesh has been undertaken, it said.

"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.

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