New Delhi [India], September 26: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which allows areas to be labelled as “disturbed” for the ease of security operations, has been extended in eight districts of Nagaland, three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and several other regions for an additional six months, following a review of the law and order conditions in both northeastern states.
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 areas’ for a period of six months with effect from April 1, 2024.
In a notification issued by the Union home ministry on Wednesday night, it was announced that the central government had declared these regions as ‘disturbed areas’ under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.
The Home Ministry said a further review of the law and order situation in Nagaland has been undertaken.
The districts and police station areas have been declared as ‘disturbed areas’ 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3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2024, unless withdrawn earlier, the notification issued on Wednesday night said.
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; and 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.
In a separate notification, the Home 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 areas’ with effect from April 1, 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 areas’ 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 read.
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.
The AFSPA empowers security forces to arrest a person without a warrant, and enter or search premises without a warrant, along with some other actions.
