NEW DELHI: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (Afspa), which grants sweeping powers to the military in “disturbed areas,” has been extended in eight districts of Nagaland, three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and several other regions for an additional six months. The decision comes after a review of the law and order situation in both northeastern states.
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 extension is effective from October 1, 2024, and will last for six months unless revoked earlier.
In Nagaland, the districts affected include Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren. Additionally, 21 police stations in five other districts, including those in Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto, have also been classified as disturbed.
Similarly, in Arunachal Pradesh, the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, along with specific police station areas in Namsai district bordering Assam, have been placed under Afspa for six more months.
The Afspa allows armed forces to search, arrest, and open fire if necessary for maintaining public order. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously stated that while the Afspa has been lifted from 70% of the northeastern states, it remains in force in Jammu and Kashmir. He also indicated that the central government would consider revoking Afspa in Jammu and Kashmir in the future.
There have been longstanding demands from various organizations and individuals in both Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states to repeal the Afspa.