The Centre has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in eight districts and 20 police station limits in five districts in Nagaland for six months. The districts have been declared as “disturbed areas” till September 30, 2024.
AFSPA has been extended in Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren districts in Nagaland. Areas falling within the jurisdiction of 20 police stations in Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, Zunheboto districts have also been declared as “disturbed areas” under Section 3 of AFSPA.
The Home Ministry’s latest move comes after a review of the law and order situation in the state was undertaken.
The Central government had previously extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in September, 2023.
CENTRE TO CONSIDER REVOKING AFSPA IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Notably, the move to extend the AFSPA in parts of Nagaland came just a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Centre would contemplate revoking the same in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have plans to pull back troops and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir police was not trusted, but today they are leading the operations,” he said in an interview.
Shah also said the assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir before September, 2024.
WHAT IS ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL POWERS) ACT 1958?
The AFSPA gives armed forces personnel, operating in disturbed areas, sweeping powers to search, arrest, and open fire if they deem it necessary for “the maintenance of public order”.
An area or district is notified as a disturbed area under the AFSPA to facilitate the operations of the armed forces.