The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which allows certain areas to be declared as “disturbed” to facilitate security operations, has been extended for six more months in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. This decision follows a review of the law and order situation in these northeastern states.

According to a notification from the Union Home Ministry, the extension applies to eight districts and 21 police stations across five additional districts of Nagaland. The areas were first declared as “disturbed” on April 1, 2024, under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. The extension will now remain in effect from October 1, 2024, for six months, unless withdrawn earlier.

The districts in Nagaland where the AFSPA has been extended include Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren. Additionally, several areas under the jurisdiction of police stations in Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto districts have also been designated as “disturbed” areas.

In a separate notification, the Home Ministry extended AFSPA in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh—Tirap, Changlang, and Longding—as well as in areas under the Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district. These areas, bordering the state of Assam, have been under AFSPA since April 1, 2024, and will continue to be declared “disturbed” for another six months starting October 1, 2024.

The AFSPA grants security forces special powers, including the ability to arrest without a warrant and search premises without judicial approval, to maintain law and order in designated regions.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah previously said that the AFSPA has been lifted from 70 percent of the northeastern states but remains in force in certain areas, including Jammu and Kashmir. He also indicated that the government is considering revoking the law in Jammu and Kashmir.

(ANI)