AFSPA Extended in Several Districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland. Here's Why

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs on March 28 extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in eight districts and 21 police stations in five districts of Nagaland with effect from April 1 this year, declaring them as 'disturbed area', reported ANI. 

The notification released by MHA stated that the AFSPA is being extended for next six months in Niuland, Dimapur, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren district. Besides this, MHA has extended AFSPA in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of 21 police stations in five districts of Nagaland-- Zunheboto and Mokokchung districts; five police stations in Kohima; three police stations in Wokha; and Yanglok police station in Longleng district. 

The Centre took the step to review the law and order situation in the state of Nagaland. 

"Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren districts in Nagaland and the areas in Nagaland falling within the jurisdiction of i) Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police stations in Kohima District; ii) Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki 'C' police stations in Mokokchung District; iii) Yanglok police station in Longleng District; iv) Bhandari, Champang and Ralan police stations in Wokha District; and v) Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto District, 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3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from April 1, 2023, unless withdrawn earlier," read the notification.

Centre Extends AFSPA in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, namely Tirap, Changlang and Longding.
The AFSPA has also been extended to the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in the Namsai district.

The extension will come into effect for six months from April 1.

Earlier, the Centre in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) had announced eight districts and 21 Police Stations in five other districts of the state of Nagaland as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2023.

The AFSPA authorizes security forces to arrest a person without a warrant, enter or search premises without a warrant along with some other actions. (With inputs from agencies)