The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months.
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The AFSPA gives unbridled power to the armed forces and the Central Armed Police Forces deployed in “disturbed areas” as specified under the Act to kill anyone acting in contravention of law, arrest and search any premises without a warrant and ensures protection from prosecution and legal suits without the Central government’s sanction. Both the State and Union government can issue notification regarding the AFSPA. For the States of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, the MHA issues periodic “disturbed area” notifications.
As per the latest notification, the AFSPA has been extended in whole of eight districts and 21 police stations in five other districts of Nagaland for another six months. The notification issued under Section 3 of the AFSPA for a period of six months with effect from April 1, “unless withdrawn earlier,” will be effective in Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren districts and in Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza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; Yanglok police station in Longleng district; Bhandari, Champang and Ralan police stations in Wokha district; and Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto district. The last time the AFSPA was extended in these areas was on September 26, 2023.
In another notification, the Ministry extended the AFSPA in 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 the State along the Assam border for another six months.