Centre's Decision: Extending AFSPA in Nagaland's 8 Districts & 21 Police Stations for 6 Months as 'Disturbed Area'

Defense News ,India :-  The Central government just announced that they're extending the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in Nagaland. They've declared eight districts and 21 police stations as 'disturbed areas' for six months, starting from April 1 this year.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made this announcement. They said the AFSPA will be in force in Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren districts of Nagaland for the next six months.

Also, the AFSPA will cover areas under 21 police stations in five districts of Nagaland. That's six police stations each in Zunheboto and Mokokchung districts, five police stations in Kohima, three police stations in Wokha, and one police station in Longleng district.

These 21 police stations include Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza, and Kezocha police stations in Kohima district. In Mokokchung district, there are Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem, and Anaki 'C' police stations. Then there's Yanglok police station in Longleng district. In Wokha district, it's Bhandari, Champang, and Ralan police stations. And in Zunheboto district, there are Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto, and Aghunato police stations.

The notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs states, "Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren districts in Nagaland, and areas in Nagaland falling under the jurisdiction of police stations mentioned above, are declared as 'disturbed areas' under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. This is effective for six months from April 1, 2023, unless withdrawn earlier."

The decision came after the Central Government reviewed the law and order situation in Nagaland.

Previously, on October 1, 2023, the Central Government had declared eight districts and 21 Police Stations in five other districts of Nagaland as 'disturbed areas' for six months under the same Act.

The AFSPA gives special powers to security forces. They can arrest someone without a warrant, enter or search premises without a warrant, and take some other actions.